The Catasauqua Area School Board is not satisfied with the responses by Medical Academy Charter School officials on the school's progress in meeting district-approved charter requirements.

The school board, during its meeting Monday, presented MACS Principal and CEO Joanna Hughes and board Chairman Craig Haytmanek, M.D., with a list of deficiencies the charter school has not corrected.

Last week district Superintendent Robert Spengler and Director of Curriculum and Academics Kristina Lutz-Doemling visited the charter school, located at 330 Howertown Road, to review documentation required by the state and charter. Spengler noted a lack of evidence of planned courses of study for certain classes. He also found inadequate proof of associations and partnerships the school had planned to set up with area health care facilities.

Lutz-Doemling added much of the information provided was outdated.

"This looks to me, very, very bad," school board member Don Panto said.

Although Spengler said some documents missing may exist, he stressed many of the deficiencies have existed since last year, when the school opened up its doors to Lehigh Valley children.

"That's my disappointment," Spengler said.

Panto, who has a background in auditing, said not providing requested documentation leads those seeking the information to ask questions.

"It raises concerns on my part," Panto said. "It builds up a sense of curiosity."

Hughes said she provided what was requested last week by the district.

"This was just a sampling," she said of the documents provided for review. "I didn't realize you wanted something more."

Hughes added because MACS is a new charter school, it is still in the process of developing.

"When we approved the charter, I believed these things were accomplished and done," Panto said.

Panto asked if the inability to meet the district's requests for documentation was routine for a new charter school.

"This would not fly in my school district; it would not fly in this school district," board Vice President Carol Cunningham said. In addition to serving on the Catasauqua school board, Cunningham is acting principal for the Northampton Area School District Borough Elementary Schools.

"I think we got the point," Haytmanek abruptly said, accusing the board of "taking shots" at the charter school.

"These things were the backbone of the charter," Panto responded. "Mr. Haytmanek, I can assure you, we haven't taken shots."

MACS special education teacher Stephen Kuter, physical education and health teacher Allan Snyder and Director of Enrollment Cynthia Moto spoke on behalf of the charter school.

Kuter and Snyder stressed in their individual classrooms students are learning and thriving academically. Snyder said he assesses student progress with tests, question-and-answer sessions and classroom discussions.

"I believe the kids are learning," Moto said. "They weren't doing well in Allen and Dieruff [high schools]. They are doing well in the charter school."

Panto asked if the board can request a corrective action plan to be drafted. Board Solicitor David Knerr said the board is entitled to request anything it deems necessary.

Spengler told Hughes he would provide an example of what the Catasauqua district's format of a planned course of study looks like along with a list of required items MACS must submit to the district.

The board agreed it would give the charter school one month to correct the deficiencies and provide evidence of planned courses of study and descriptions of associations and partnerships with health organizations.

"I don't think we're asking to reinvent the wheel," Knerr said.

The board had previously indicated if the charter school fails to meet the requirements of the district approved-charter, it would initiate revocation proceedings.