A public charter school proposed for at-risk students will have to get state approval if it is to operate in Opelousas.

The St. Landry Parish School Board on Thursday rejected the application of J.S. Clark Leadership Academy Charter School, voting 7-3 to uphold Supt. Michael Nassif’s rejection recommendation.

Nassif’s recommendation, he said, was based on findings during the review application process by members of a committee of college teachers and central office employees.

Prior to Nassif’s review, the board heard from representatives of the school for about an hour and a half. They answered a list of questions posed by the committee as well as responding to queries and comments from board members.

Eunice-area members Harry Fruge and Roger Young voted to reject the application. The third Eunice-area member, Josie Frank abstained (her son is a member of the charter school board).

The organizers of the school now have the option of appealing to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for a state charter to operate the Type 1 charter school independently of the St. Landry system.

Had the School Board approved the application, the school would have been a partner, so to speak, of the system.