Fired directors of academy sue for breach of contract

2/28/2008

The former co-directors of the once-troubled Alliance Academy have filed suit in Lucas County Common Pleas Court against the charter school's board of directors, the management company, and its sponsoring agency.

Jerri Heer and Letha Ferguson, who filed the lawsuit Feb. 21 for breach of contract, contend their two-year contracts with the charter school were breached when they were terminated after one year.

Ms. Heer, the school's former administrative director, claims to have lost about $72,950 over the balance of her contract. Ms. Ferguson, the education director, claims to have lost $86,920.

A newly appointed board - Sherita Evans, Tyrone Sturdivant, Judy Stone, Fran Wexler, and Dick Knapp - terminated the contracts Aug. 9 and voted to approve a management agreement with Leona Group LLC.

The school was having academic and financial problems and was ordered by its sponsor to replace its directors with a for-profit company.

The five board members, Leona, and Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, are defendants in the lawsuit.