State Orders Closures Of Two Columbus Charter Schools

State schools superintendent Richard Ross has ordered the closures of two Columbus charter schools and wants to question their sponsoring superintendent. Ross says the Talented Tenth Leadership Academy for Boys and the Talented Tenth Leadership Academy for Girls were closed for health and safety reasons following several visits from state education employees. State officials say the schools were inadequately staffed. They found reports of several significant fights. Officials also say meals were not served at regular times and were often bought at fast food restaurants. The school is sponsored by the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center. Ross has asked its superintendent to explain issues of poor approval and oversight. The center has yet to comment.