January, 2020
JAN 31, 2020 – Dallas charter school CEO convicted in kickback scheme sentenced to 7+ years
A Dallas charter school CEO was sentenced Thursday to more than seven years in federal prison for her role in a corruption scandal following an investigation by the FBI Dallas Field Office, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
JAN 30, 2020 – After backlash over $2M luxury jet, IDEA charter schools to stop spending $400K on Spurs tickets
Several weeks after IDEA Public Schools nixed plans to spend millions of dollars on a charter jet lease, the charter network’s leader announced the end of additional “hard to defend” spending practices Thursday, including the purchase of tickets and a luxury box for events at San Antonio’s AT&T Center.
JAN 28, 2020 – 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.
JAN 28, 2020 – 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.
JAN 28, 2020 – 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.
JAN 25, 2020 – 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.
JAN 25, 2020 – 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.
JAN 23, 2020 – 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.
JAN 23, 2020 – 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.
JAN 22, 2020 ‘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.”
JAN 21, 2020 – Wilmington charter school suspends use of seclusion room after illegal usage
The Cape Fear Center for Inquiry suspended use of its seclusion room last fall after the family of a seven-year-old student filed a grievance against the public charter school. The school admitted that the room — and its policies for the room — did not meet minimum state standards.
JAN 20, 2020 – Utah charter school may pay back millions in special education money
A Utah charter school, American Preparatory Academy, is in the middle of an audit because of school’s special education spending.
JAN 17, 2020 – 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.
JAN 17, 2020 – 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.
JAN 17, 2020 – 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.
JAN 17, 2020 – 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.
JAN 15, 2020 – 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.
Jan 14, 2020 – 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.
JAN 14, 2020 – State: City on a Hill broke law by failing to investigate bullying
Years before declining enrollment and other problems at the City on a Hill charter school in New Bedford led to its impending closure in June, the school’s response to a series of cyberbullying incidents broke state law, The Standard-Times has learned.
JAN 12, 2020 – Bricolage parents join chorus of those concerned about special-education services in New Orleans
The most recent complaints echo others made over the years by families who have accused the city’s privately run but publicly funded charter schools of intentionally and unintentionally shutting out and failing to educate students who have learning disabilities.
JAN 10, 2020 – ‘After all the damage, now they want to sell?’ | DC charter school leaving before it opens
You would think neighbors in the Fairlawn section of Southeast would be happy that Eagle Academy may be moving out of the community. But a group of homeowners feel like they’ve been duped by the school and its developers, who they say not only damaged their properties, but cut corners.
JAN 10, 2020 – A Texas-sized challenge — schools need to improve outcomes for students with disabilities
Recent reporting by John Tedesco and Shelby Webb about the specific failures of some Texas charter schools comes as no surprise to education advocates and parents of students with disabilities.
JAN 08, 2020 – Inglewood charter school with history of alleged wrongdoing denied renewal by county
The Los Angeles County Board of Education voted Tuesday to close an Inglewood charter school with a lengthy history of financial problems and mixed academic performance that illustrated flaws in California’s oversight system.
JAN 06, 2020 – Churches, private entities that served A3 charter school students say they’re owed $1.8 million
Churches and corporations that were paid tax dollars to educate A3 charter school students are asking a judge for $1.8 million they say they are owed by the network, which was shut down last year after A3 leaders were indicted for an alleged fraud scheme.
JAN 06, 2020 – State Board of Education votes to uphold decision to close Memphis charter school
The Tennessee State Board of Education on Monday unanimously voted to uphold Shelby County Schools’ revocation of Southwest Early College High School’s charter.
Jan 05, 2020 -Loophole could give F-rated charter schools millions meant for better schools
East Academy, Cleveland Preparatory Academy and West Park Academy charter schools each scored an F on their latest state report cards.
