Minn. Ed. Dept. Gives Extension For BlueSky School

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The state has granted the overseer of Minnesota's first online high school more time to decide whether to cancel its contract with the BlueSky Online school.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the nonprofit Novation Education Opportunities now has until April 4 to decide whether to continue authorizing the West St. Paul-based charter school.

The state has accused BlueSky of graduating students without the required coursework. The Education Department directed Novation to terminate its contract with BlueSky, which would close the school.

Novation's original deadline was Monday, but it asked for time to complete its own analysis.

Department officials say they are confident in the findings of a state investigation and that they will act to close the school even if Novation doesn't.

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