Trustees try to save Oakland's embattled American Indian Model Schools from losing charter
Posted: 02/27/2013 08:56:38 PM PST
Updated: 02/28/2013 07:57:54 AM PST
OAKLAND -- Oakland's embattled American Indian Model Schools may have pulled back from the brink of closure by cutting ties with the controversial founder Ben Chavis, who was accused of improperly channeling millions of dollars to himself and his wife.
The AIM Schools board gave Chavis notice on Jan. 12 that he could no longer have a role in running the institution, a demand made by district officials who concluded last fall that the organization failed to protect against corrupt fiscal practices.
The final decision to revoke the charter is in the hands of the Oakland school board, which will make a decision on March 20.
The AIM Schools board appointed former OUSD trustee Sylvester Hodges as interim
FILE - Ben Chavis, founder of the American Indian Public Charter School, listens to the deliberations of the Oakland Unified School District Board, April 4, 2012 in Oakland, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Staff) (D. Ross Cameron/Staff Archives)
Chavis is forbidden from contacting faculty or staff except as a parent of children enrolled in the award-winning but controversial institution. All contracts involving Chavis have been suspended or eliminated. However, he still owns the 171 19th Street building, which houses one of three AIM Schools.
Now the board is scrambling to find alternative locations.
"This is not an easy task," AIM Schools Trustee Toni Cook said Wednesday.
The investigation began in response to a whistle-blower complaint of fraud. State auditors spent months examining the charter organization's records. A report issued in June cited evidence that Chavis and and his wife, Marsha Amador used public funds for the schools to enrich
themselves.Auditors found $3.8 million in questionable expenditures, rife with conflicts of interest, from construction contracts and lease agreements to mandatory summer programs going to Chavis' companies -- all while Amador handled the books. At one point, Chavis served on the governing board while he was
Oakland school board votes to eliminate adult education
Posted: 02/27/2013 10:11:08 PM PST
Updated: 02/27/2013 10:11:09 PM PST
OAKLAND -- The Oakland school board voted 5-1 Wednesday to approve eliminating or reducing full service programs like adult education, which will affect hundreds of students and employees.
Although Gov. Jerry Brown's budget plan, which will shift adult education programs from K-12 schools to community colleges, is not finalized, the board needed to vote Wednesday to comply with a California Education Code. The code requires that employees whose positions may be eliminated or reduced must be notified by such changes by March 15 for the 2013-2014 school year.
Board President David Kakishiba voted to discontinue adult education programs in the school district, "in the context that we are looking to build back adult education, Family Literacy Programs and GED services in this city whether it's in OUSD or Peralta Colleges or in a contract with OUSD."
Board member Roseann Torres cast the lone "no" vote.
The district will save $1 million in costs for all teachers, administrative positions and teaching by eliminating adult