#ANOTHERDAYANOTHERCHARTERSCHOOLSCANDAL
Your View: Should taxpayers finance cyber charter schools if districts can offer distance learning at a lower cost?
The majority of educators and student seem to agree that in-person instruction is superior to cyber schooling. Yet for more than two decades Pennsylvania taxpayers have paid the same tuition rate for cyber charter schools as for brick and mortar cyber schools.
Unfinished charter school becomes neighborhood eyesore in southeast Harris County
Some neighbors in southeast Harris County said an unfinished charter school building has become an eyesore.
“It just looks horrible for our community,” said neighbor Sylvia Rodriguez.
Construction work on Elite College Prep Academy – Riverstone, on Riverstone Ranch Drive at Kirksage Drive, was never completed. Neighbors said the project has dragged on for years.
Director Leaves North Side Comminity Charter School after tumultous year
The former executive director of North Side Community School could receive nearly $300,000 in public funding from the school even as he develops another charter school in south St. Louis.
Chester Asher signed a three-year contract with North Side in 2019 with an annual salary of $160,000. One year into his term, the charter school agreed to part ways with Asher, who stepped down to “fully commit his energy and talents for social justice,” according to a letter sent to school families.
Woodland District 50 Sues to close Prairie Crossing Charter School in Grayslake
Gurnee-based Woodland School District 50 filed a lawsuit this week seeking the closure of Prairie Crossing Charter School in Grayslake.
The lawsuit argues that Prairie Crossing has failed to educate at-risk students as required by the state. The litigation also claims that, by taking state funds, the charter school diverts money away from services for low-income and underrepresented students in District 50.
Former administrator, teacher question charter school over promises to keep students safe from COVID-19
In July, 9NEWS visited the charter school in Aurora which touted a plan to have in-person learning safely. At the time, Principal Linda August said that in addition to strict cleaning protocols, classes above kindergarten would be split up into two groups capped at a maximum of ten people.
Since the 9NEWS visit in July, Principal August has quit along with two assistant principals including Mary Higgins.
‘Funds Raised Some Concerns’: OIG Launches Investigation Into Alberto Carvalho’s Nonprofit
The Office of the Inspector General for Miami-Dade County Public Schools has launched an investigation into Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s nonprofit following a donation from K12, the much-maligned online learning platform axed by the district.
A memo from Inspector General Mary Cagle states her office “will begin a review of the transfer of approximately $1.57 million dollars from K12, a virtual instruction provider, to the Foundation for New Education Initiatives, Inc.”
Charter school in Fort Myers being shut down
The Lee County School Board is shutting down a charter school in Fort Myers.
The decision was made in an emergency meeting Wednesday. District staff who visited the school reported overflowing trash bins, kids walking around unsupervised, and only two teachers running the whole operation.
Ex-Arizona charter school principal sentenced in fraud case
The former principal of a Goodyear charter school has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison and ordered to pay more than $2.5 million in restitution in a fraud case.
State prosecutors say Harold Cadiz was sentenced for his role in enrolling fake students to obtain funding from the Arizona Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
SEC settles fraud charges with Arizona charter school
An Arizona-based nonprofit charter school agreed to settle Securities and Exchange Commission allegations that it misled investors and its former president agreed to pay a $30,000 penalty and will not participate in future municipal securities offerings.
On Monday, the SEC charged Park View School, a state-funded, nonprofit charter school with misleading investors in a $7.6 million municipal bond offering in April 2016. It also charged Debra Kay Slagle, the school’s then-president.
Inspire charter school office is sued for alleged fraud
Two Inspire-affiliated schools are based in San Diego County — Pacific Coast Academy and Cabrillo Point Academy — which together enrolled about 8,500 students last school year.
In the lawsuit, Granite Mountain Charter School, which is based in San Bernardino County, is alleging that its parent corporation, Inspire District Office — also known as Provenance and formerly known as Inspire Charter Schools — moved $70 million in and out of Granite Mountain’s bank account during the last school year.
Scathing audit finds misspent tax money at Kansas City charter school
A scathing audit of a now-closed Kansas City charter school found tens of thousands of dollars were improperly spent on food, sports tickets and bonuses.
A report by Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway’s Office gave Pathway Academy Charter School its lowest possible rating of poor.
Do cyber charter schools really need millions in pandemic relief funding? | Opinion
It’s time we shine a light on a critically important issue and start asking some questions. As Pennsylvania’s school districts face revenue shortfalls of $1 billion or more due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania’s charter schools stand to see a windfall of pandemic relief funding while experiencing no loss of revenue.
Charter schools to get 100% of funds as public schools face cuts, say education advocates
New York’s public school districts must fully fund charter schools in the upcoming school year, according to a nonprofit public education advocacy organization.
The Alliance for Quality Education, based in Albany, says that even as public schools face 20% cuts in state aid, they must pay 100% of tuition for charters. Charter schools enroll 6% of students statewide.
Cyber charters may benefit from pandemic, but that doesn’t mean their students do | Editorial
It’s too early for the Pennsylvania Department of Education to have official tallies of cyber enrollment for this school session, but many districts have seen increases in interest in cyber charters. The School District of Philadelphia says cyber enrollment could be up by 18%, which could mean 1,200 more students.
Easton charter school loses its 4th principal at the start of its 4th year
Easton’s charter school principal has resigned, according to an email sent to the school parents.
The email sent Tuesday from Easton Arts Academy Elementary Charter School’s CEO doesn’t say why William Wright left just as school started this year. CEO Chadwick Antonio confirmed Wright’s departure.