#ANOTHERDAYANOTHERCHARTERSCHOOLSCANDAL
Senator says he was asked to delete Epic emails
A state senator says he was asked to delete emails by the official who oversees Oklahoma Virtual Charter School Board weeks after she downplayed her communication with him to an attorney representing Epic virtual charter school.
Canales: We need more transparency at Texas charter schools
State Rep. Terry Canales wants more transparency at Texas charter schools and says he will introduce legislation next session to demand it.
The Edinburg Democrat does not like the way IDEA Public Schools has been run over the past few years. Referencing Texas’ largest charter school network, Canales titled a recent post on Facebook, “Charter Schools Gone Wild.”
IDEA Public Schools co-founder getting $900K severance following resignation
IDEA Public Schools co-founder Tom Torkelson will receive $900,000 as part of a separation agreement reached last month, when he resigned as CEO after a two-decade run with the state’s largest charter school operator, according to a copy of the deal obtained Friday.
Memo to charter school advocates: Get your facts straight; stop undermining traditional public education
North Carolina charter advocates continually complain of an “unfair” funding system despite regularly outspending comparable traditional public schools. An analysis of expenditure data from the ’18-19 school year indicates that charter schools maintain a small, $83 per-student local funding advantage over similar public schools. Charter advocates seeking greater investment in charter students should stop trying to take money from the less-advantaged traditional sector and instead work together to ensure state leaders deliver adequate funding for all students.
Gemski: BVP took advantage of a loophole
I want to start off by saying I fully understand that these truly are challenging times for both public and private entities alike. But I have to admit that I was shocked and, honestly, a bit appalled when I learned that Blackstone Valley Prep, a charter school here in Cumberland, had decided to accept a $4 million Paycheck Protection Program loan.
Did some charter schools double-dip in federal coronavirus relief funding?
In April, the charter school’s board called a special meeting to take $550,600 of Cares Act money via a Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan. Those loans were intended by Congress to shore up small, struggling businesses that would otherwise lay off their employees as revenue dried up
State Chamber has warning for judge in Epic Charter Schools case
Oklahoma County District Judge Natalie Mai is being asked to order Epic’s management company to turn over records to the state auditor for an investigative audit. The state auditor subpoenaed bank statements, credit card payments, emails, vendor contracts and other records from the company.
Charter Schools Are Still Getting Public Funding. So Why Are They Applying For PPP Loans?
The board of Gabriella Charter Schools, which operates two campuses in Echo Park and South L.A., authorized a $1.3 million PPP loan.
So did Ivy Academia in the west San Fernando Valley. That charter school’s board accepted $962,300 through PPP.
Former principal sues White Pine Charter School
Jeremy Clarke, whom trustees fired in March, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in the District of Idaho on May 7, contending that the school’s board members violated his rights under the Americans With Disabilities and Idaho Human Rights acts, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Idaho Wage Claim Act and other laws.
Central Pa. charter school official charged with stealing more than $60K in federal funds
According to filings in U.S. Middle District Court, Eliseo Sierra, operations manager for the Lincoln Charter School in York, already has struck a tentative deal to plead guilty in return for a pledge by prosecutors to recommend a probationary sentence.
Ross Valley Charter gets $270K small business relief loan
The Ross Valley Charter school has secured a $270,563 loan from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, a relief effort for small businesses during the coronavirus economic slump.
The move has prompted criticism from some residents who note that the Fairfax school, a nonprofit organization, also receives state per-student financing.
Reading City Council signs off on I-LEAD settlement
The Reading City Council signed off Monday on its part of the I-LEAD global settlement agreement, which could lead to the closing of the charter school.
“This is something that we have been working on and anticipating for several months now,” said council Vice President Lucine Sihelnik.
Your tax dollars may be going to charter schools with major financial, academic problems
During a recent Utah State Charter School Board meeting, Carol Lear’s criticisms of the process that the charter school board follows to approve expansion and satellite campus was notable.
Eva Moskowitz and Success Academy found guilty of violating NY State student privacy Law
The Chief Privacy Officer of the NY State Education Department issued a ruling on Tuesday May 12 that Eva Moskowitz and Success Academy had violated Education Law 2d, the state student privacy law, that prohibits the disclosure of personal student information without parental consent except under specific conditions required to provide a student’s education.
State school board takes ‘final action’ related to AISU charter school’s financial obligations
American International School of Utah shuttered nearly a year ago but the Utah State Board of Education is still taking steps intended to wrap up the public charter school’s financial obligations.