The duty to watchdog multiple charter schools involved in a recent alleged charter school scam lay on the shoulders of Dehesa School District, a tiny district that consists of a single elementary school with 138 students in the hills of east San Diego County. In May 11 people were indicted in connection with a statewide charter school scheme that prosecutors said funneled $50 million into the pockets of two executives of A3 Education. Three of the A3 charter schools were authorized and overseen by Dehesa. In a statement, the district defended its authorization of its several charter schools. “The Dehesa School District approved the charter schools believing we were making educational options available to students who could benefit from instruction in non-traditional settings,” the district said in a statement. “We recognize that several charter school reforms have been initiated at the state level, and our District is committed to ensuring legal compliance with all … [Read more...] about Dehesa School District profited by cultivating charter schools
Enlarged city school district of middletown
Some small school districts profit from charter schools
The charter school self-dealing scheme alleged in a recent San Diego County indictment is the latest example of how legal loopholes incentivize small school districts to provide little to no oversight of charter schools, critics say.Prosecutors accused two charter school leaders, Sean McManus and Jason Schrock, of A3 Education, of creating a network of 19 schools that effectively funneled $50 million in public funds into their own pockets. All 11 named defendants in the indictment, except for McManus, have pleaded not guilty. McManus is at large, prosecutors say. The A3 charter schools were all online schools, authorized to operate by small school districts, which were supposed to hold them accountable. The districts were paid by the charter schools to oversee them, but they faced few repercussions if the charter schools and their many students did poorly. Most of those students do not live in the authorizing districts. The districts “are not incentivized to do any meaningful … [Read more...] about Some small school districts profit from charter schools
School District of Philadelphia, archdiocese close schools ahead of Wednesday’s winter storm
The School District of Philadelphia announced Tuesday afternoon that all city public schools will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 20, because of precipitation expected from Wednesday's winter storm. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia also announced Tuesday afternoon that all archdiocesan high schools and parochial elementary schools in Philadelphia will be closed on Wednesday because of the storm. As of 2:15 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Accuweather expects 3 to 6 inches of snow and sleet to fall in Philadelphia on Wednesday.“This decision has been made due to current projections of snowy weather that will make it difficult to travel,” the School District of Philadelphia said in an email Tuesday. After school activities and early childhood centers will also be closed, according to the school district’s email. Follow Adam & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @adamwhermann | @thePhillyVoiceFacebook: PhillyVoiceAdam's RSS feed to your feed readernews tip? Let us know. … [Read more...] about School District of Philadelphia, archdiocese close schools ahead of Wednesday’s winter storm
Are school districts going ‘soft’? Cold spell stirs debate
Michael Melia, Associated Press Updated 4:55 pm CST, Thursday, January 31, 2019 Students board a bus after being dismissed from the Dr. Ramon Betances Elementary School in Hartford, Conn., on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. The extreme weather that shuttered schools across a swath of the northern United States this week has spurred debates on whether such closings are appropriate and whether school districts today might be getting "soft," as suggested by Kentucky's governor. less Students board a bus after being dismissed from the Dr. Ramon Betances Elementary School in Hartford, Conn., on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. The extreme weather that shuttered schools across a swath of the northern ... more Photo: Dave Collins, AP Photo: Dave Collins, AP Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Image 1 of 3 … [Read more...] about Are school districts going ‘soft’? Cold spell stirs debate
Hamilton County commissioners get a snapshot of school district’s vision ahead of budget talks
Gallery: Commissioners +9 more photos Hamilton County commissioners had few questions for the county's school board and Superintendent Bryan Johnson at a joint meeting Monday. The meeting, which school board members and commissioners characterized as the first step in the budgeting process, included a review of the district's new five-year strategic plan and the Johnson administration's priorities. "As we go into the budget process we should at least have a much better knowledge base," said District 2 Commissioner and former school board member Chip Baker. "That doesn't mean there won't be more questions, but we'll have a good knowledge base. It's a great direction." Johnson highlighted some areas of growth and improvement the district has seen in the year and a half of his leadership, including the expansion of school options for students including open enrollment schools and Future Ready Institutes; intentional focus on organizing and streamlining district operations, and work … [Read more...] about Hamilton County commissioners get a snapshot of school district’s vision ahead of budget talks