Education digest: Steps toward closing Options charter school; Race to the Top funds Charter board takes step to close Options The D.C. Public Charter School Board voted unanimously last week to take the first step toward closing Options Public Charter School, citing a "pattern of fiscal mismanagement" that has triggered a civil lawsuit and a criminal investigation. The board voted to begin charter revocation proceedings over the objections of parents and Options's court-appointed receiver, who argued that the school is unique in its ability to serve some of the city's most troubled students, most of whom have emotional or learning disabilities or have been kicked out of other schools. "The challenges that these students face are difficult to overstate," Josh Kern, the receiver who has been overseeing the school since October, told the board. It is a simple statement of fact that, for many students at Options, the school is their educational option of last resort. Options serves nearly 400 students, many of whom would probably end up attending traditional D.C. public schools should Options close, according to the charter board's staff. The board has yet to decide when Options would close, but it has been clear that the school will remain open at least until the end of this school year.