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Monday, November 11, 2019

Valerie Jablow: D.C. Ripped Off By Charter Real Estate Deals | Diane Ravitch's blog

Valerie Jablow: D.C. Ripped Off By Charter Real Estate Deals | Diane Ravitch's blog

Valerie Jablow: D.C. Ripped Off By Charter Real Estate Deals

Valerie Jablow is a parent in D.C. whose blog follows the ethical scandals of public officials and the charter industry in her hometown.
It is so crazy that I can’t summarize it.
Somewhere in this Pink Panther-style story are the moneymakers.
The guys who finance the real estate: Turner Agassi.
Tennis star Andre Agassi opened his own charter school in Las Vegas. He promised that every student would be accepted by a four-year college. Agassi donated $18 million to his school. The school was a disaster. Staff turnover was high. It was the worst performing charter in the state. It charter was turned over to NYC-based Democracy Prep.
Then equity investor Turner Capital offered to create a partnership with Agassi to build charter schools. That’s a lucrative business. Turner and Agassi hit the jackpot.
Disruption!  That’s the means and the end!
Valerie Jablow: D.C. Ripped Off By Charter Real Estate Deals | Diane Ravitch's blog