CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS
REAL Prep Charter Academy
*“How REAL Prep charter school spent $450,000 before problems weredetected.” * The Oregonian (OR), 9/14/2011 The founder of a proposed Portland charter school was able to spend $450,000 in federal funds with little to show for it by choosing the least-regulated route to creating such a school and papering over problems when overseers checked in. Erica Jayasuriya, a Portland mom with visions of opening a recording arts-based high school that would transform education for disengaged teens,presided as the team she assembled spent the money on planning, promotion and curriculum design ... more »
California College, Career and Technical Education Center
*“School shutdown leaves students, teachers scrambling.”* News10/KXTV (CA), 9/2/2011 WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - The California College, Career and Technical Education Center has shutdown in West Sacramento leaving teachers and students and staff scrambling to find somewhere else to go. Some parents apparently found out about the charter school's unexpected closure when they arrived for an orientation meeting Thursday and found the school's doors locked... When CCCTec opened last fall, every student was provided with an IPad. Owner and school superintendent Paul Preston said the schoo... more »
Academy of Arts & Minds
*“Coconut Grove charter school owner accused of bilking taxpayers.”* Miami New Times (FL), 06/09/2011 Manuel Alonso-Poch isn't just one of Miami's best-connected lawyers and a major donor to bigwigs such as Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado and his daughter, school board member Raquel Regalado — he's also been trumpeted lately as the business-savvy savior of the long-threatened Miami Marine Stadium. So what the heck is going on over at the Academy of Arts & Minds, the Coconut Grove charter school he cofounded in 2003? The academy's Parent Teacher Student Association sent a searing letter...more »
Gentilly Terrace Charter School
*“New Orleans teenager arrested after gun goes off in backpack.” *The Times-Picayune (LA), 9/12/2011 There's a reason some schools in New Orleans require see-through or mesh backpacks, and this is it: At about 9 a.m. on Monday, a handgun that a 13-year-old at Gentilly Terrace Elementary School had stashed in his bag went off accidentally on school grounds. No one was hurt. But police arrested the teenager and planned on booking him with weapons possession and illegal discharge of a firearm, said officer Shereese Harper, a police spokeswoman. The school is located at 4720 Painters... more »
Sarah T. Reed Elementary charter school
*“Eighth grader arrested with gun on Reed Elementary School campus.”* WWLTV (LA), 8/22/2011 NEW ORLEANS – An eighth-grade student at Reed Elementary School in New Orleans East was arrested Monday afternoon after a teacher discovered an unloaded gun in his bag, school officials said. Bill Murphy, the chief academic officer at Reed, confirmed to Eyewitness News that the gun was discovered shortly after 1 p.m., when a teacher noticed the student, whom he would not identify, was acting out of character. The teacher noticed other students seemed to sense some sort of trouble, Murphy ... more »
Aspire Charter Academy
*“Charter school for kids with behavioral problems expelled student on first day.”* Orlando Sentinel (FL), 9/2/2011 Kerlin Fedee thought she had found the perfect fit for her daughter — a school dedicated to the needs of young children with behavioral problems. "They said they would be able to help her and would love to have her," Fedee said. But Fedee was disillusioned quickly. Aspire Charter Academy in Orlando, which opened this fall, kicked out 6-year-old Natalie Querette on the first day. Natalie, a first grader, sometimes bites, kicks and spits, especially in a new situatio... more »
Animo Leadership Charter High School
*“Cheating on state tests found at two Los Angeles schools.”* Los Angeles Times (CA), 9/5/2011 The state has thrown out the test scores of a top-performing Los Angeles school and of the highest-scoring campus in the nationally known Green Dot charter group after cheating was uncovered involving several teachers. Short Avenue Elementary in Del Rey and Animo Leadership Charter High School in Inglewood were barred from receiving academic rankings released last week by the California Department of Education. That action deprived the schools of the state rating that has become the key ... more »
A.A. Dixon Charter School of Excellence
*“A. A. Dixon charter school could close after this semester.” *Pensacola News Journal (FL), 9/16/2011 The Escambia County School Board could vote Tuesday to close A.A. Dixon Charter School of Excellence after this semester. The charter school, in its second year, is bogged down with financial and academic issues. At the end of its first year, Dixon was $100,000 in debt, and it received a school grade of F from the state, based on student performance on standardized tests. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas will recommend the board vote to close the school after 90 days. He also recomm... more »
El Rancho Charter School
*“Rebecca Black, ‘Friday’ Singer, Leaves Anaheim School Due To Bullying.”*CBS Los Angeles (CA), 8/11/2011 ANAHEIM (CBS) — Rebecca Black says endless teasing and harassment from classmates forced her to pull out of El Rancho Charter School in Anaheim. The 14-year-old, whose much-buzzed video for her song “Friday” became a YouTube phenomenon, is now being homeschooled by her mother. “When I walk by they’ll start singing ‘Friday’ in a really nasally voice,” Black tells ABC News. “Or, you know, they’ll be like, ‘Oh hey, Rebecca, guess what day it is?” After the video’s release in Marc... more »
Pembridge Prep, Inc Charter School (attempt)
*“Bradentonschool owner facing lawsuits applies for charter school.” *WTSP News (FL), 8/11/2011 Built as a storage facility, the building at 7710 Cortez Road is being turned into what may be used as a school. The storage facility now has half a dozen classrooms and bathrooms for students up to 12th grade. The new school is the plan of Bradenton business man Hendrik Lamprecht. He's applied for a charter school with the Manatee County school district. "He's not a man who is an educator never been a teacher if he's suppose to be finance man his proven track record shows he's not reli... more »
Bridgewater Academy
*“Behind the doors of Bridgewater Academy.”* WMBF News (SC), 8/10/2011 MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) A WMBF News investigation into salaries and expenses at public schools in Horry County has finally led to a charter school opening-up its books. Bridgewater Academy, which gets more than $1 million of residents' tax dollars through Horry County Schools, failed to turn-over documents to WMBF News for months. On March 8, WMBF News sent a letter to Bridgewater's acting principal, Steve Wilson, requesting the documents. State law requires publicly-funded organizations to reply within 15 busi... more »
The Classical Academy
*“Special report by state levels criticisms at TCA.”* The Gazette (CO); May 08, 2009 Complaints that The Classical Academy's insular community created an environment where racism and religious intolerance were allowed to go unchecked raises questions about whether the charter school is welcoming to all students, according to a report released Friday. The report to the Colorado Department of Education, triggered by parents' complaints, also found fault with the school's accounting practices, noted possible conflicts of interest with administrators who run a charter-school consulti... more »
Legacy Preparatory Academy
*“Former drama teacher gets jail for fondling student, and forgivenessfrom victim's family.”* Deseret News (UT), 4/6/2011 FARMINGTON — A former Woods Cross drama teacher accused of fondling a 14-year-old student was sentenced to a year in jail Wednesday after an extraordinary display of forgiveness by the victim's family. A 2nd District judge ordered James D. Stokes to complete treatment at the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center, a halfway house in Ogden for sex offenders, as soon as space is available. Stokes, 62, pleaded guilty in February to one count of forcible sexual ... more »
Woods Charter School
*“Teacher Linked to Child Porn Bonds Out.”* WRAL (NC), 4/11/2008 Raleigh, N.C. — A former Chatham County charter school teacher charged with sexual exploitation involving computer posted bond Friday morning and will appear in court again May 1, Morrisville police said. Jason Perkins, 38, stands accused of 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, police said. Perkins, who taught at the Woods Charter School in northern Chatham County, resigned from his teaching position as a result of the probe. Digital images of a child under the age of 16 were recovered on Perkins' home compu... more »
Willits Charter School
*“Jail term for former Willits teacher who had sex with student.” *The Press Democrat (CA), 8/4/2009 WILLITS — To the relief of many people packed into the courtroom on Tuesday, a former charter school teacher was sentenced to county jail rather than state prison for his sexual relationship with a student. Most of 40 people in the Willits courtroom were there to support Clinton Douglas Smith, 38, who had pleaded guilty in April to having sex with a 15-year-old Willits Charter School student. “He’s a wonderful guy,” said Yvonne Winter. The supporters also included Smith’s family,... more »
La Paloma Academy
*“Molestation suit against principal cites text messages.”* Arizona Daily Star, 8/16/2009 One text message sent to a teenager's cell phone asked, in effect: What can I do so what happened is never spoken about? Another message said: I just want forgiveness, please. The teen and a former teacher who saved copies of that text and other brief messages say they were sent by a school principal who was also pastor of the teen's church. The former student alleges in a lawsuit that Randy S. Musgrove used his position as principal and pastor to sexually molest and harass her starting whe... more »
Ventana Academic School
*“Female teachers accused of having sex with students.”* The Arizona Republic, 2/12/1999 ... This week, Marian Lamb, 39, former director of a Cave Creek charter school, was given a year in jail and lifetime probation for two counts of attempted sexual contact with two 14-year-old boys. According to court records, Lamb regularly lured students onto the grounds of Ventana Academic School, where she plied them with alcohol, marijuana, pornography and expensive gifts...
Ketchikan Charter School
*“Man gets 20 years for sex abuse of 12-year-old.”* The Juneau Empire (AK), 5/1/2008 A retired Coast Guard veteran was sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy at a Juneau church camp last spring and then paying $300 to keep the child from reporting the crime. Ketchikan resident Darren Jacksch, 42, also was convicted for sexually abusing a 10-year-old child in his home in 2004, while still in the Coast Guard. Court records show Jacksch was employed at the Ketchikan Charter School at the time of his December 2007 arres... more »
Arroyo Vista Charter School
*“Child molester in Chula Vistagets 45 years.”* San Diego Union-Tribune (CA), 3/31/2005 CHULA VISTA – A former supervisor of a YMCA after-school program was given a prison sentence of 45 years to life by a Superior Court judge yesterday for molesting three kindergarten students. Daniel Meraz, 25, was convicted in July of improperly touching three girls who attended an after-school program he supervised in 2002 and 2003 at Arroyo Vista Charter School in the Eastlake Greens section of Chula Vista. He was acquitted of molesting a fourth child...
Boston Avenue Charter School
*“Jury: Former DeLand teacher raped student; Jose Antonio Tirado will spend the rest of his life in prison for raping an 11-year-old boy.”* Orlando Sentinel (FL), 3/18/2010 A former charter school teacher will spend the rest of his life in prison for raping an 11-year-old boy. A jury found Jose Antonio Tirado, 26, of Deltona, guilty of sexual battery on a child under 12, according to a report on News-JournalOnline.com. Prosecutors dropped a charge of lewd and lascivious molestation against Tirado, who worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Boston Avenue Charter School in DeLand, acco... more »
King-Chavez Academy of Excellence
*“Molesting boy brings 10-year term.”* San Diego Union-Tribune (CA), 12/1/2005 EL CAJON – A former administrator of a Barrio Logan charter school was sentenced to 10 years in prison yesterday for sexually molesting a boy he baby-sat over a two-year period. Dennis Michael McKeown did not make a statement in Superior Court yesterday, but he said in an Oct. 25 letter to probation officials that "not a day goes by that I am not sorry for my actions." "I am filled with disgust and self-loathing as well as shame and humility," he wrote in the letter filed with the court. McKeown, 4... more »
Gold Campus of Life School College Preparatory
*“Charter teacher arrested in molestation.”* East Valley Tribune (AZ), 10/23/2003 A 43-year-old Mesa charter school teacher was arrested Tuesday night on accusations he locked one of his students inside his classroom twice and molested her, police said. Wade Gordon Oborn, a teacher at the Gold Campus of Life School College Preparatory, 2929 E. McKellips Road, is being held in Maricopa County’s Madison Street Jail in Phoenix without bail on suspicion of two counts of child molestation. A 12-year-old girl told detectives the incidents happened between August 2002 and earlier this mo... more »
University High School
*“University High ex-teacher guilty in sex case; Former instructor admitted to affair with ex-student.”* Fresno Bee (CA), 1/7/2011 A former University High School music teacher was found guilty Thursday of 13 felony charges for having a sexual relationship with an underage former student and exchanging sexually explicit text messages with two other students. Jonathan Malcolm, as well as his wife, Jennifer, showed no reaction when the verdict was announced in Fresno County Superior Court. Judge James Petrucelli allowed Malcolm to remain free on bail as long as he didn't look at porn... more »
Legacy Charter School
*“Former school bus driver arrested in molestation case.”* East Valley Tribune (AZ), 11/16/2010 A 62-year-old former bus driver for Legacy Charter School who Mesa police say they questioned in a child molestation case last year was arrested Thursday on suspicion of two counts of child molestation after a 9-year-old girl told police he sexually touched her near and in his car... Police said Bryant, who frequently visits a family in the neighborhood and is known as “Mr. Bill” to other children, also was arrested on one count of aggravated assault. While the girl was being interview... more »
Ethical Community Charter School
*“Fourth fondling charge lodged against Jersey City LEGOs master whotaught afterschool program.”* The Jersey Journal (NJ), 11/8/2010 The Jersey City man who taught a LEGOs afterschool activity at a number of Hudson County schools has been charged in a fourth fondling case in connection with a class, officials said today. Accused child molester Eric Sophie, 40, of Newport Parkway, was charged this weekend with sexual assault by contact, child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, Assistant Hudson County Prosecutor John Mulkeen said. The prosecutor did not provide the age of... more »
Imagine Charter School at Weston
*“Piano Teacher Guilty of Molesting Students; David Layman taught at Imagine Charter Schoolin Weston.”* NBC Miami (FL), 1/25/2011 A Broward piano teacher has been sentenced to seven years in prison Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to molesting four of his young students. David Layman, 38, took a plea deal that allowed him to avoid life in prison. He was initially charged with seven counts of molestation. The piano teacher was arrested almost three years ago after several of his former students accused the man of rubbing their thighs and touching their privates during lessons. Lay... more »
CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS WEBSITE
BIG EDUCATION APE PARENT HERO OF THE MONTH
Sharon Higgins has been a public school parent in Oakland, California since 1993, where she has watched her daughters’ schools cope with NCLB’s stigmatizing label of ‘failing’ for many years. In addition, her school district was subjected to six years of the ‘business model’ of education reform as implemented by graduates of the Broad Superintendents Academy during a state takeover. These two negative experiences provoked Sharon’s involvement in education issues. Previously, she worked as a critical care nurse, stay-at-home mom, and parent coordinator at her local middle school. Today, Sharon volunteers at school, serves on a district-level committee, conducts independent research about school issues, and blogs at thePerimeter Primate, Charter School Scandals, and The Broad Report. Email Sharon