#ANOTHERDAYANOTHERCHARTERSCHOOLSCANDAL
School director, finance officer plead guilty to embezzlement
The former director and former finance officer of the now defunct Bridges Academy in State Road have pleaded guilty to embezzling funds from the charter school.
When Minnesota charter schools fail, vulnerable students pay the price
Hundreds of Minnesota students are caught up each year in the often sudden shuttering of charter schools. School leaders say the closings create a cycle that sets more schools and students up for failure.
Turmoil at Lionheart Academy Endangers Charter School
But now, the K-7 charter school is in danger of financial collapse after questionable board deals that were hidden from the public, according to Lionheart founder Fred Ward.
Most Minnesota charter schools are failing to make good on their promises
Minnesota created charter schools to be more independent than their public school counterparts, allowing them to innovate and better help struggling students. But the lack of oversight often leads to financial mismanagement and fewer resources when things go wrong.
Virtual Charter Schools: Actually Useless
Peter Greene takes a look at research out of Pennsylvania on virtual charter schools. The results are not great. At all.
Nearly 100 students leave charter school, return to Rutherford County school system
“The opening of RCP [Rutherford Collegiate Prep] has been a disaster,” said Lea Maitlen, parent of a recent RCS graduate. “On the very first day, multiple children were lost by the school for hours as parents became increasingly frantic. One parent referred to the day as ‘apocalyptic.’”
All-charter no more: New Orleans opens its first traditional school in nearly two decades
In August, more than 300 students started the school year in the first traditional school run directly by the New Orleans school district since 2019. It’s the first time the district has opened its own school since Hurricane Katrina swept through the city nearly two decades ago.
School board chair of Union Charter that suddenly shut down gives more details
WBTV was at the school Wednesday morning, as parents lined up to get transcripts, medications, and fees refunded. Many came with lots of questions for the staff but were met with a “business-like” transaction.
AFT, lawmakers seek state audit of charter schools in Missouri
Cummings said charter schools should be held to the same standard as public schools. In the August letter, Cummings and others said auditing charter schools is necessary due to lingering questions about what happens to the millions of dollars provided to charter schools and other items purchased after charter schools close.
Experts question performance, accountability of virtual charter schools
“Virtual school performance remains poor, little if any research supports the claimed benefits of virtual schooling, and state regulatory policies are still inadequate,” the policy center reported. “Nonetheless, the unsupported claims are widely believed and virtual schools continue to proliferate.”
Twin Cities charter school fraud took place under direction of school’s current leader, former employees say
The Minnesota Internship Center had 4% attendance and 5% graduation rates, while its leader took co-workers to Topgolf, according to state records and interviews with school insiders.
17 years after indictment, California Charter Academy case unresolved
Former Hesperia mayor Honeycutt and charter school founder Cox were indicted on Sept. 4, 2007, charged with misappropriating $5.5 million in charter school funds. Seventeen years later, they haven’t stood trial or accepted a plea deal.
The Dark Money Defunding Rural Schools
Americans share fundamental values that inform our public education system: dedication to the common good; a learning space where all voices are respected; public resources that help students succeed; neighbors, teachers and administrators working together to create schools that serve their communities.
Union County Charter School abruptly closes: ‘My heart fell into my stomach’
A sudden announcement over the weekend has left hundreds of Union County families searching for new schools for their children.
Pro-Voucher Florida Lawmaker Indicted for Crimes Related to Christian School She Administers
One of the chief arguments opponents of school vouchers (sometimes called “school choice”) make is that the entire thing is just a scheme to shovel taxpayer money into religious institutions. That is allegedly the case when it comes to Florida Rep. Carol Amesty (R-Orange).
