250 students forced out of Philadelphia charter school

NORTHERN LIBERTIES (WPVI) -- Parents are outraged and heartbroken after a lottery determined which students would stay and which students would be forced to leave a cash-strapped charter school in Philadelphia's Northern Liberties section.

Crystal Williford is among the roughly 250 families who were told, "Your child is out of Walter D Palmer Charter."

"She loved her teacher," said Williford, through sobs.

"This whole school I've supported since day one, pre-k on, my child probably won't go to school until November," said Colleen Coleman, parent.

The slash in enrollment is the culmination of a month-long fight with the Philadelphia School District.

The district claims that the school violated its charter, fraudulently billed for kids they weren't authorized to teach and underperformed on tests.

Palmer was authorized to teach 675 students but enrollment at the school's two campuses ballooned in recent years to more than 1,200.

The courts ruled in favor of the district and they were awarded $1.5 million.

Palmer's founder is saddened that families have been caught in the middle.

"I understand their pain and anguish and they really thought that somehow they were going to make it," said Walter D. Palmer, founder.

Officials say more students could be moved.

The school's founder says he's working with private donors to help fill a budget deficit and pay for the extra 300 kids it's currently teaching.

The cuts would come from the high school, which leaves more uncertainty for parents.

"I don't know. I have two high schoolers and a middle schooler and they are not very clear on what's happening with them. They keep telling us, 'Son't worry about it,' but you see where don't worry got us," said Nekira Batchelor, parent.

There is no school slated for Friday but come Monday, those students who did not get chosen in the lottery will not be allowed to return.