POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — It’s been six weeks since they graduated and they have nothing to show for it.
A mother, Melissa Christner, turned to 8 On Your Side after she said her son and eight other students did not receive their diplomas from a private school in Lakeland.
Her son, Dakota, 18, has autism. Christner said he needs his diploma for documentation for his SSI benefits, and also for a job out of state, and it’s been weeks of waiting.
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Christner said her son transferred to Higher Learning Advantage Academy two years ago when the private school was located off East Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland.
“We were out of school for a week to two,” said Christner.
Christner said she and her son were notified that Higher Learning was moving to Quincy Street in February. Court records show the property owner filed for eviction against the school for not paying more than $50,000 in rent. 8 On Your Side spoke with Director Nancy Seymore in January.