ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Department of Education plans to withhold almost $140,000 in state aid to a suburban charter school over teacher-licensure violations.
The penalty announced Wednesday against Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy stems from an investigation into licensure status at school sites in Inver Grove Heights and Blaine.
Commissioner Alice Seagren directed the fine be imposed beginning next month. Seagren said she was imposing the maximum fine, which is 60 percent of the school's basic allowance for the days it was deemed out of compliance.
Blois Olson, a spokesman for TIZA, said there will be an appeal.
TIZA caters to Muslim students. The school is currently suing the state, claiming key records it needs to defend itself have been withheld during the investigation.
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