Multiple boards oversee Epic Charter Schools
(Editor’s note: This story was authored by Jennifer Palmer of Oklahoma Watch and appears here in accordance with the non-profit journalism organization’s republishing terms.)
In his request for a search warrant, a law enforcement agent described Epic Charter Schools as being set up a decade ago as a profit-generating “scheme.”
And he described the school’s co-founders as deeply involved in alleged embezzlement of state funds and obtaining money under false pretenses – such as personally recruiting “ghost students” to boost the school’s funding and allowing students who completed no work or moved out of state on the school’s rolls.
All of which begs the question: Who is responsible for oversight of Epic? And have they done enough to be a check on the state’s largest virtual school?
Co-founders David Chaney and Ben Harris, in a joint statement, say the allegations are false.
“We will continue to cooperate with investigators, as we have throughout the history of our school. We are confident the facts will once again vindicate our team,” their joint statement reads.
The allegations outlined in the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s search warrant have drawn the attention of the highest-ranking state officials. Gov. Kevin Stitt has asked to be briefed on the investigation, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister called the allegations “extremely serious, disturbing.” On Friday afternoon, Stitt and Hofmeister announced they have requested an investigative audit on Epic and its related companies by the state Auditor & Inspector, looking at the past three years.
What will ultimately result from the audit and OSBI investigation is unclear. The accounts of alleged wrongdoing in the affidavit and the intense news coverage have put pressure on CONTINUE READING: Multiple boards oversee Epic Charter Schools
