Charter school operator seeks to co-locate on 27 Broward school campuses rent free

A Miami-based charter school operator has made a formal request to co-locate rent-free on the campuses of 27 Broward schools, initiating what one state legislator described as a “land grab” that could hurt public schools.

Roberto C. Blanch, president of Miami-based Mater Academy, sent 27 letters to Superintendent Howard Hepburn on Wednesday informing him that the charter school provider wants to open charters known as “Schools of Hope” on various campuses starting in August 2027.

Broward isn’t the only district that received letters. Sarasota and Hillsborough and several others have received similar requests by Mater, according to State Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, who fought against the state law that makes it easier for providers to share space with traditional schools.

“This is a power grab, a real estate grab for charter school companies, and now this one company has submitted applications across the state,” Bartleman told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Thursday. “You’re going to be able to co-locate your business with no expenses, and it’s the children who are in the traditional public schools that are going to be impacted because they are going to be paying for it.”

To read more, visit the South Florida Sun Sentinel.