By Jennifer Mrozowski
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Ohio Attorney General's office is asking the court to freeze all assets of an embattled Avondale charter school that prevented state inspectors from entering the building Tuesday.

The state attorney general's office filed a motion in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Wednesday, saying the school is in contempt of an order made last week by Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge John Andrew West to have state officials inspect the school, called Learning Opportunities International..

The state's motion asks that the Ohio Department of Education be allowed to enter.The state has been trying to close the school since Sept. 30. The state says officials of the school, formerly called Sabis International School, didn't submit required documents to operate, such as proof of background checks on teachers and building permits.

Judge West in his ruling last week ordered the state to visit the school, but did not close the school. He scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing for Nov. 1 and ordered the school to cease using nearly $600,000 in funds the state paid the school for July and August.

James R. Greene III, attorney for the school board, said officials of the 45-student school aren't in contempt because they haven't missed the Nov. 1 inspection deadline set by Judge West. He also said the state had no right to demand entry on short notice Tuesday.

Mr. Greene said the state notified him Monday evening that inspectors planned to come to the school at 10 a.m. Tuesday, not allowing time for board members to be present.

E-mail jmrozowski@enquirer.com