Two more charter schools closed their doors without warning, sending students and parents in search of a new school. This continues a pattern documented by reporters Karen Yi and Amy Shipley in a major investigative story in June.

“Two charter schools on Tuesday shut down just two weeks into their first school year, the latest in an unprecedented string of overnight closures among South Florida charter schools.

“The shuttering of the Magnolia schools sent about 200 students scrambling to find new elementary and middle schools. The schools posted a letter on their website Monday, saying they had failed to secure a temporary facility after construction delays at their permanent site. The schools, which received nearly $400,000 in taxpayer dollars, had planned to operate in Sunrise….”

“The schools, Magnolia Academy for the Arts and Magnolia Academy for the Arts and Technology, are the latest to abruptly close at the beginning of this school year. Another charter school in Broward and two others in Palm Beach County ceased operations by the end of their first day of school.

“Never before have so many first-year charter schools closed so quickly after opening in South Florida. Ten charter schools — six in Broward and four in Palm Beach County — have closed within two months of opening since 2012.

“The quick closures illustrate the danger of handing taxpayer dollars to charter schools operators without requiring that they undergo background checks, produce evidence of financial backing or secure buildings well in advance of their openings. A Sun Sentinel investigation in June found that virtually anyone who can adequately fill out a lengthy application can open or run a charter school. These schools are publicly funded but privately run.”

Not to worry. The charter operators plan to open more charters next year:

“Despite the closures, the schools’ management company plans to continue opening more schools.

“Newpoint Education Partners, which had a management contract with the Magnolia schools, is listed on applications for two new charter schools in Palm Beach County and one in Broward. If approved, the schools would open next year.”

This is all part of “the Florida Miracle.” Here today, gone tomorrow. The charter schools and the money.