Hearings on new applications, expansions, etc
Last updated October 21, 2014
Sometimes government agencies hold public hearings where the public can give input on proposed new charter schools, or expansions and renewals of existing ones. Other hearings give an opportunity to comment on charter school practices.
Important note: many hearings require signing up in advance for public comment.
UPCOMING HEARINGS / PUBLIC MEETINGS
MONDAY OCTOBER 27, 2014 PEORIA, ILLINOIS
What: Board Meeting of the Peoria School District #150 (link)
When: Mon Oct 27 6:30 PM
Where: Admin Bldg, 3202 N. Wisconsin Ave, Peoria, IL 61603 309-672-6512
What to do: Ask the board to not renew Quest Charter Academy's charter contract. One reason is the current FBI investigation of Concept Schools, Quest's management company (see July 21, 2014 Chicago Sun-Times article). Quest gives Concept a portion of its state revenues (for most Concept-managed schools it ranges from 10-14%). Quest's operations are intricately intertwined with Concept, which is in charge of the hiring of administrators and evaluation of teachers for Quest. It is inappropriate to renew Quest's charter when serious questions about Concept's finances and practices remain unresolved.
What: Board Meeting of the Peoria School District #150 (link)
When: Mon Oct 27 6:30 PM
Where: Admin Bldg, 3202 N. Wisconsin Ave, Peoria, IL 61603 309-672-6512
What to do: Ask the board to not renew Quest Charter Academy's charter contract. One reason is the current FBI investigation of Concept Schools, Quest's management company (see July 21, 2014 Chicago Sun-Times article). Quest gives Concept a portion of its state revenues (for most Concept-managed schools it ranges from 10-14%). Quest's operations are intricately intertwined with Concept, which is in charge of the hiring of administrators and evaluation of teachers for Quest. It is inappropriate to renew Quest's charter when serious questions about Concept's finances and practices remain unresolved.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 28, 2014 HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
What: Public hearing of Pennsylvania's Charter Appeal Board (link) to decide on Truebright Science Academy's appeal of its charter non-renewal.
When: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 1 PM
Where: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Heritage Suite A, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg PA 17126-0333
What to do: Ask for Truebright Science Academy's charter to be terminated.
Details: In Oct 2013, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission voted unanimously to not renew Truebright's charter (link). Some reasons to object to Truebright's renewal are given in a April 4, 2012 article of the Philadelphia Inquirer (link) "Not only are the FBI and the Departments of Labor and Education looking into allegations of kickbacks by Turkish teachers at the charters nationwide, according to knowledgeable sources, but at least nine American teachers and administrators at Truebright have filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. All allege that they were being paid less than noncertified Turkish staffers." The school website claims that "Our first two senior classes (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) boasted a nearly 100% graduation rate..." but NAPCS data indicate that while 71 ninth-graders were enrolled in 2008-09, only 8 were in the senior class of 2011-12 four years later. This is massive attrition. The senior class of 2012-13 had 42 students enrolled, while the 9th grade class four years earlier (2009-10) had 83 students, again showing very large attrition. See also further articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer: "U.S. charter-school network with Turkish link draws federal attention" (March 20, 2011); "WikiLeaks files detail U.S. unease over Turks and charter schools" (April 4, 2011); "Allegations raised over N. Phila. charter school run by followers of Turkish imam" (April 19, 2012).
What: Public hearing of Pennsylvania's Charter Appeal Board (link) to decide on Truebright Science Academy's appeal of its charter non-renewal.
When: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 1 PM
Where: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Heritage Suite A, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg PA 17126-0333
What to do: Ask for Truebright Science Academy's charter to be terminated.
Details: In Oct 2013, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission voted unanimously to not renew Truebright's charter (link). Some reasons to object to Truebright's renewal are given in a April 4, 2012 article of the Philadelphia Inquirer (link) "Not only are the FBI and the Departments of Labor and Education looking into allegations of kickbacks by Turkish teachers at the charters nationwide, according to knowledgeable sources, but at least nine American teachers and administrators at Truebright have filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. All allege that they were being paid less than noncertified Turkish staffers." The school website claims that "Our first two senior classes (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) boasted a nearly 100% graduation rate..." but NAPCS data indicate that while 71 ninth-graders were enrolled in 2008-09, only 8 were in the senior class of 2011-12 four years later. This is massive attrition. The senior class of 2012-13 had 42 students enrolled, while the 9th grade class four years earlier (2009-10) had 83 students, again showing very large attrition. See also further articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer: "U.S. charter-school network with Turkish link draws federal attention" (March 20, 2011); "WikiLeaks files detail U.S. unease over Turks and charter schools" (April 4, 2011); "Allegations raised over N. Phila. charter school run by followers of Turkish imam" (April 19, 2012).
THURSDAY OCTOBER 30, 2014 HOUSTON, TEXAS
What: Public hearing to discuss Harmony Public Schools State Financial Accountability Rating (part of regular meeting of Board of Directors, Harmony Public Schools)
When: October 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Where: Multipurpose Room, 9321 W Sam Houston Pkwy S, Houston, TX 77099
Details: "The purpose of the financial accountability rating system, known as the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), is to ensure that open-enrollment charter schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and that they improve those practices. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to better manage their financial resources in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes" (link). Also: "state law requires that school districts hold a public discussion/hearing on the report and publish notice of the hearing at least two times prior to the meeting" (link).
What to do: This is an opportunity to object on the official public record to Harmony's report and the extent to which it discloses (or fails to disclose) information on Harmony's related-party contracting practices (New York Times, June 2011). Favoritism in charter school contracting is an issue that the US Department of Education now regards as serious as far as abuse of federal education funds (see Propublica, Oct 2014).
What: Public hearing to discuss Harmony Public Schools State Financial Accountability Rating (part of regular meeting of Board of Directors, Harmony Public Schools)
When: October 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Where: Multipurpose Room, 9321 W Sam Houston Pkwy S, Houston, TX 77099
Details: "The purpose of the financial accountability rating system, known as the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), is to ensure that open-enrollment charter schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and that they improve those practices. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to better manage their financial resources in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes" (link). Also: "state law requires that school districts hold a public discussion/hearing on the report and publish notice of the hearing at least two times prior to the meeting" (link).
What to do: This is an opportunity to object on the official public record to Harmony's report and the extent to which it discloses (or fails to disclose) information on Harmony's related-party contracting practices (New York Times, June 2011). Favoritism in charter school contracting is an issue that the US Department of Education now regards as serious as far as abuse of federal education funds (see Propublica, Oct 2014).
NOVEMBER 4, 2014 JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
What: Regular board meeting of Duval County Public Schools
When: Tuesday, Nov 4, 2014, 6 PM
Where: 1st Floor Board Room - Cline Auditorium, 1701 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207 Phone 904-390-2000
Details: An Oct 21, 2014 news article (link) reports: "The only charter school applications that did meet all or nearly all of the standards are two Vitti [Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent] says he plans to recommend to be approved to open in the school year 2015-16: KIPP K-8 and River City Science Academy at Mandarin....River City Educational Services, which operates three River City charter schools in Jacksonville, is proposing a fourth, River City Science Academy at Mandarin, to serve 500 in K-7 grades its first year and 850 students up to eighth grade by its second year."
What to do: Ask the board to not approve the charter application for River City Science Academy at Mandarin on the grounds that its sister schools are engaging in related-party deals with Blue Ocean Construction for school construction (see this page for details). Inform them that this school is part of the nationwide Gulen charter schools chain, which is under FBI investigation in some states.
What: Regular board meeting of Duval County Public Schools
When: Tuesday, Nov 4, 2014, 6 PM
Where: 1st Floor Board Room - Cline Auditorium, 1701 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207 Phone 904-390-2000
Details: An Oct 21, 2014 news article (link) reports: "The only charter school applications that did meet all or nearly all of the standards are two Vitti [Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent] says he plans to recommend to be approved to open in the school year 2015-16: KIPP K-8 and River City Science Academy at Mandarin....River City Educational Services, which operates three River City charter schools in Jacksonville, is proposing a fourth, River City Science Academy at Mandarin, to serve 500 in K-7 grades its first year and 850 students up to eighth grade by its second year."
What to do: Ask the board to not approve the charter application for River City Science Academy at Mandarin on the grounds that its sister schools are engaging in related-party deals with Blue Ocean Construction for school construction (see this page for details). Inform them that this school is part of the nationwide Gulen charter schools chain, which is under FBI investigation in some states.
WHERE TO WATCH FOR UPCOMING HEARINGS
North Carolina
The Charter School Advisory Board makes recommendations on charter school applications, which then receive final approval (or rejection) from the State Board of Education. Upcoming Advisory Board meetings are listed on this page:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/board/
State Board of Education meetings are listed on this page:
https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/MeetingListing.aspx?S=10399
North Carolina
The Charter School Advisory Board makes recommendations on charter school applications, which then receive final approval (or rejection) from the State Board of Education. Upcoming Advisory Board meetings are listed on this page:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/board/
State Board of Education meetings are listed on this page:
https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/MeetingListing.aspx?S=10399
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR INPUT
See also the How to Get Involved: Sample Letters page.
Note
The Renewal Schedule page has information on dates/years for charter renewal for many Gulen charter schools. Charter schools are granted charters for a specified period (the number of years varies from state to state), after which they have to apply again (charter renewal). The charter renewal process is often a good occasion for raising concerns about a school.
Some charter schools are authorized by local school boards, which hold regular public meetings and are required to post meeting agendas and minutes, often online. Others are chartered by state-level boards or other alternative authorizers (universities, etc).
Unfortunately, the decision processes of these alternative authorizers are often less accessible to the public. However, it is still possible to contact them.
Lately, most new Gulen charter schools have been approved by alternative authorizers. This way there is a better chance of using political or inside connections, and minimizing public input.