BlueSky Online Charter School won the battle with the Minnesota Department of Education to stay open. Now, it’s looking to rebuild its reputation and reclaim hundreds of thousands of dollars in fiscal losses.

“We would like to focus on the fact that this is a complete win,” said Cindy Lavorato, attorney for BlueSky. “Right now, we are exploring the possibility of bringing a motion to recover attorneys’ fees.”

The investigation may be over, but it is clear both sides still disagree about the facts in the case.

Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius ruled late Thursday that the embattled West St. Paul-based charter school could stay open because the state did not prove the school had a “history of major or repeated violations.” Her ruling, however, also supports state education officials’ findings that the school did not meet curriculum standards and graduated students illegally.

“As educators, community members and parents, we must hold high expectations for all schoolchildren in Minnesota,” Cassellius wrote. “Alternative delivery of education services does not excuse strict adherence to this mandate.”

Charlene Briner, Cassellius’ chief of staff, said the state’s investigation is now closed unless new issues arise.

“As you can see, it was a very close case,” Briner said. “It is clear from the evidence that BlueSky did in fact graduate students in 2009 and 2010 who had not met graduation requirements. It is also clear that BlueSky did not

provide sufficient support to demonstrate all benchmarks were covered in their curriculum.”

BlueSky leaders continue to dispute those claims.

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