#ANOTHERDAYANOTHERCHARTERSCHOOLSCANDAL
Charlotte charter school spent money on helicopter tour, clothes and first-class travel, records show
Luxury travel included a $690 helicopter sightseeing flight in 2019; more than $6,000 for first-class airfare for Haskell and occasionally other senior staff, and at least $2,500 in private executive car services to get from the airport to conferences. Records show Corvian paid for a group of school administrators to spend $1,200 last year for a private van on a tour of Pikes Peak in Colorado. Like the helicopter sightseeing trip, that tour happened while the group was in town on a taxpayer-funded trip to attend a conference.
Report: Mississippi charter school renewal process ‘lacks transparency’
As for the transparency of the renewal process, the report said it “lacks clarity, objectivity and transparency by failing to set weights for each performance domain (academic, financial, and organizational) and failing to set clear standards for the length of the renewal term.”
Undisclosed financial crisis shutters JJ Legacy School. Parents will have just one week to find new schools for kids.
In an emergency school-board meeting, JJ Legacy’s authorizer said “there is no more money” and the elementary school would need to close January 12. Parents and teachers shared their grief and gratitude, but also questioned why dire financial problems had gone unnoticed.
Colorado charter schools need more transparency and accountability
Colorado charter schools have expanded significantly in the past decade, with 16% of students now attending charter schools, yet current state laws governing their operations are woefully inadequate to ensure full transparency and accountability for the public funding of charter schools. Charter schools utilize taxpayer dollars and, at the same time, charter schools allow private interests to invest in their growth and development.
Inside the unraveling of one of Philadelphia’s most successful charter schools
The board voted to approve the closure of the North Broad Street charter, which has been in operation since 1999. It did so in a way that may have violated the Sunshine Act, according to the Inquirer — because the vote happened in a private session after attendees had already been escorted out.“It was sad to see. So many people were hurt and left with no answers,” said Nia Primus, a longtime teacher who joined MCS this year. “It was not surprising, though,” she added.
Rochester charter schools serving Somali children declare bankruptcy, leaving future in doubt
A Rochester charter school organization filed for bankruptcy earlier this month after years of legal tussles over its debt, prompting concerns for its future.
The Rochester STEM Academy and Rochester Math and Science Academy, which serve kindergarten through 12th grades in one building, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization on Dec. 6. The move was in response to pressure from Kansas City-based UMB Bank, which holds more than $15 million in debt the school borrowed in 2018.
A TALE OF TWO CHARTER POLICIES
Kentucky, however, has zero charter schools and a judge there recently found that charter schools do not meet the definition of “public schools” for the purpose of state education funding.
The states have taken different approaches – and the results suggest that Tennessee just might be on the wrong track.
Thea Bowman’s charter revoked; looks to CCSJ for sponsorship
Thea Bowman’s authorizer, One Education at Trine University in Angola, cited staff turnover, poor academic performance and declining enrollment for not renewing the school’s charter last Wednesday.
Erie School District sues Erie Rise to spur ex-charter school’s dissolution, find assets
After Erie School Board voted to terminate its charter, Erie Rise closed on June 30, but has yet to wind up finances, which involve public funds. Most assets are to revert to Erie School District.
Kinston charter school facing fraud accusations
One of the issues raised in the report includes a loan of $188,000 to the school by Carr. Carr, the report estimates, will have received $155,505 in interest from the loan once it’s paid off.
Charter authorizer rejects bid from Indianapolis school with rocky academic, attendance history
The Genius School in Indianapolis has lost its bid for a charter from a second authorizer, after the Education One board at Trine University rejected its application Wednesday, citing concerns with inflated enrollment targets and financial projections.
State board considers revoking charter of new school with just 15 students
SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy was approved in 2020 with plans to serve 150 students in its first year between kindergarten and first grade. But the school reported an enrollment of 12 students to the Mississippi Department of Education earlier this fall and told Mississippi Today this week that number has risen to 15. School leaders also said the school currently has six full-time teachers and 11 employees overall.
NC Charter Accused of Misspending Money & Conflict of Interest Violations.
NC Charter Accused of Misspending Money & Conflict of Interest Violations
Fledgling charter school closes permanently
Charter school officials apologized “for any convenience or disruption” to the school’s families.
3 Decades In, Charter Schools Continue to Face Legal Challenges
Three decades have passed since the first public charter school opened its doors. More than 3 million of the nation’s K-12 students now attend them. But debates over how and where charter schools operate are still playing out in courts and statehouses across America.