WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's education board has revoked the license for the operator of a New Orleans charter school, only the fourth time a charter has lost its contract with the state.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted 7-1 Wednesday to end its charter arrangement with the Pelican Educational Foundation, at the Abramson Science and Technology School, after allegations of rape and sexual incidents between students - and concerns they weren't properly reported. Two state employees have been fired because of the allegations.

Lawyers for Pelican say the organization is being improperly targeted for isolated problems. They are asking a judge to overturn BESE's decision.

Abramson was an independent charter school operating under the state's Recovery School District. The RSD intends to directly run the school now, with classes beginning Wednesday.

Pelican is also over Kenilworth Charter in Baton Rouge. There's no word on how BESE's decision will impact Kenilworth.