Education Dept. Illegally Curbed Workers’ Union Protections, Mediators Suggest - The New York Times

Education Dept. Illegally Curbed Workers’ Union Protections, Mediators Suggest - The New York Times
Education Dept. Illegally Curbed Workers’ Union Protections, Mediators Suggest

WASHINGTON — Federal labor mediators have advised the Education Department that it most likely imposed new work rules on its employees illegally, curtailing workers’ protections and access to union representation in violation of federal law.

The American Federation of Government Employees said Tuesday that the Federal Labor Relations Authority advised the Education Department that it had engaged in “bad-faith bargaining” when it implemented a contract this year that gutted compensation and benefits provisions for the department’s 3,900 employees, and limited employees’ ability to carry out union duties during the work day.

The decision could have broad implications because the Education Department’s actions mirror Trump administration efforts throughout the federal government. The Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs have begun implementing work rules similar to the ones at the Education Department, union officials said. And many of the anti-union elements reflect a series of executive orders on the federal work force that President Trump signed in May.

The union plans to use the finding as it pursues labor disputes across the federal government.

“For the first salvo to be knocked down by the F.L.R.A., it sends the message that the government isn’t going to be allowed to operate outside the bounds of the law,” said David A. Borer, general counsel for the union.

The Education Department imposed the contract after a year of  Continue reading: Education Dept. Illegally Curbed Workers’ Union Protections, Mediators Suggest - The New York Times

As fiscal problems mount, Celerity charter network closes a school

As fiscal problems mount, Celerity charter network closes a school

As fiscal problems mount, Celerity charter network closes a school

For months after federal agents raided the offices of a Los Angeles charter school network, seizing documents and electronic records, the Celerity Educational Group tried to overhaul its image.

The nonprofit cut financial ties with its parent organization and replaced its chief executive. It launched a rebranding effort to distance itself from allegations of financial wrongdoingthat have hovered for more than a year.

But in a sign that all is not well, the charter management organization made the decision last week to close one of its seven schools in Los Angeles County: Celerity Rolas, in Northeast L.A.

In a letter to parents, Nadia Shaiq, the group’s CEO, said that Rolas had been unable to attract enough students to justify the costs of keeping it open.

“Closing a school is always a disappointment for our entire community,” Shaiq wrote. “But keeping the school without the enrollment necessary for a balanced budget would threaten the overall health of our other schools, impacting students, parents and employees.”

A spokesman for Celerity did not respond to requests for comment.

Rolas’ closure means that several hundred students will be forced to find new placements — and without much time. The first day of school in the Los Angeles Unified School District is Aug. 14, and many of the deadlines for enrollment lotteries at the most sought-after charter schools have passed. Celerity’s leaders have encouraged families to switch to its school in Glassell Park, Celerity Octavia.

The closure is the first public sign that Celerity is under considerable financial strain.

In the aftermath of the January 2017 raid and news that the FBI was investigating the nonprofit and questioning its employees, Celerity was thrown into turmoil. The State Board of Education refused to renew two of its charter schools, and although both schools were able to reopen under different names, the network said some its families never came back.

At Celerity Rolas, an elementary and middle school split between two sites — one in Eagle Rock and one in Highland Park — the school needed 435 students to break even, according to the organization’s correspondence with the state. But only 309 students enrolled last year.

The loss of students meant less funding from the state. Meanwhile, the organization’s legal fees were rising.

Facing investigations by federal agencies and L.A. Unified’s Office of Inspector General, the group hired the law firm Gibson Dunn to aid it during the inquiries and help it separate from  Continue reading: As fiscal problems mount, Celerity charter network closes a school

Big Education Ape: Few school supplies but a lavish party: At charter school, teachers saw a clash between scarcity and extravagance - LA Times - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2017/01/few-school-supplies-but-lavish-party-at.html

Big Education Ape: Los Angeles Rocked by Another Charter School Scandal: State Awards Two New Schools to Ethically Challenged Charter Chain | Diane Ravitch's blog - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2017/03/los-angeles-rocked-by-another-charter.html

Big Education Ape: Under federal investigation, Celerity charter schools are in danger of losing their accreditation - LA Times - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2017/04/under-federal-investigation-celerity.html

Big Education Ape: 2 Celerity charter schools shut down by California board of education | 89.3 KPCC - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2017/05/2-celerity-charter-schools-shut-down-by.html

Big Education Ape: Meeting Notice/Agenda for April 5, 2017 - Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (CA Dept of Education) - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2017/03/meeting-noticeagenda-for-april-5-2017.html