#ANOTHERDAYANOTHERCHARTERSCHOOLSCANDAL
State reprimands Trenton charter school trustee for ethics training violation
Caroline Clarke, a member of the charter school’s board of trustees, failed to complete mandatory training in a timely fashion, incurring the wrath of state education authorities.
Prosecutors: Employee of Puna charter school overrun by lava embezzled $628,000
Federal prosecutors allege that the former financial officer for Kua O Ka La public charter school embezzled $628,000 from the campus between December 2012 and January 2019.
Lawyers think secret meetings by charter school task force break state law
At the Dec. 6, 2019, meeting of the Utah State Board of Education, there was plenty of anticipation in the air after a task force was tapped to look at problems inside Utah’s $400 million charter school system.
Audits reveal record-keeping issues at New Orleans schools
The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reports that district documents show several charter high schools were struggling in the fall with issues related to how the schools track student grades and other records.
Troubled Pine Bluff charter school given academic-year reprieve
Southeast Arkansas Preparatory High School, a financially and academically struggling charter school in Pine Bluff, will stay open at least through the end of this school year, the Arkansas Board of Education decided Friday.
Facing criticism, Bullis Charter School dumps controversial ‘hills’ preference in enrollment lottery
Los Altos School District officials, later joined by staff from the Santa Clara County Office of Education, said such a priority could give wealthier families an edge while stunting the charter school’s enrollment of underserved students.
Crucial financing on hold for Newark charter school as federal grand jury probe widens
Amid scrutiny by a federal grand jury, the state is holding up critical financing for the non-profit support group of one of Newark’s oldest and largest charter schools — cash needed to pay off $21 million in loans coming due on its high school.
‘We are doing some cleanup right now’: Easton charter school administrator accused of changing grades put on leave
In a lawsuit filed in December 2018 by the charter elementary school’s former principal, Zupko and Chief Financial Officer Shawn Ferrera were accused of changing grades to “falsely reflect the effectiveness of the school’s programs.”
Beyond the Books: Utah charter school may pay back millions in special education money
When the audit is complete, it is possible APA will have to pay back millions–maybe more–in state and federal special education funds.
School receive special education funding from both federal and state entities to help educate kids with special needs. The money needs to be very specifically accounted for.
Madera charter director leaves job amid school battery investigation, email shows
News of Retana’s departure comes after a two-month investigation criminal investigation conducted by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. He has been on leave from the district since November.
Two charter schools should repay $5.5 million, state audit recommends
Two charter schools in Broward County failed to adequately prove students attended during the 2017-18 school year and should repay a combined $5.5 million, the state Auditor General report says.
Charter school founder arrested, accused of stealing from school
Yuma Police said officers arrested 56-year-old Mario Ybarra on January 11 on charges of disorderly conduct and theft. Both are misdemeanor charges.
Paul Muschick: Bethlehem superintendent knew he would take heat for talking about race and charter schools. Here’s why he did anyway.
Bethlehem schools Superintendent Joseph Roy knew he was going to be criticized for his remarks last month about race and charter schools.
Kennesaw charter school announces closure
A Kennesaw charter school announced Wednesday it will be closing permanently at the end of the school year, leaving parents looking for places to send their children in August.
Texas education officials weigh new rules to fast-track charter school expansion
Amid protests from teachers groups and public school advocates, Texas education officials are rewriting the state’s rules for approving new charter schools in order to speed up the process and allow some charter operators to expand more quickly and with less state oversight.