1/17/2024 0 Comments Epic charter![]() The board’s vote occurred after parents voiced their concerns, as did a teacher at Epic and the school’s leader.Įpic Superintendent Bart Banfield urged the board to allow the district time to receive the work papers associated with the state audit and develop their response before making any decision regarding Epic’s charter. Should the contract be terminated, and no replacement charter sponsor comes forward, it could ultimately lead to the closure of Epic Charter Schools, the state’s largest school district, which currently provides online education to roughly 61,000 students. ![]() “Just because we enter this process does not mean that termination is the only option.” “In the meantime, there’s also time for negotiation,” Schuble said. She said the board may also negotiate a settlement with Epic. Schuble said the administrative process is required to be set “at least 90 days out” by law and may be scheduled at an even later date. Schuble also said the audit indicates Epic used funds to support a California offshoot in violation of its contract, and supported other public-school districts, including Panola and Pawhuska, with Epic funds. The issues raised by Schuble, which were based on the state audit, included claims that Epic Charter Schools commingled funds from Epic One-on-One and Epic Blended, which are considered two separate legal entities with two separate charters and two separate sponsors. Many of the alleged violations of the school’s contract with the statewide board revolve around failure to use Epic’s appropriated funds solely for the benefit of the school and its students. Schuble provided board members with a draft notice to terminate Epic’s contract based on failure to meet standards of fiscal management and comply with related laws, based on allegations contained in the state audit. Many parents view the attacks on Epic as an effort to force families to return children to schools that failed them. Board member Mathew Hamrick did not attend the meeting. Board members Harrington, Robert Franklin, and Barry Beauchamp voted in favor of launching the review, while Phyllis Shepherd voted in opposition. ![]() The motion to begin the administrative process passed on a 3-1 vote. He added that the administrative process will allow issues to be “aired out and reviewed by both sides.” At the administrative hearing, Schuble said Epic “can present witnesses, evidence, be represented by an attorney, and there’s a chance for them to be able to tell their side of the story.” “The only issue before us today is whether or not we would proceed into a process by which that is one potential outcome.” Harrington, chairman of the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board. “I know there has been some concern that today we would be terminating the contract,” said John D. “You are not voting today on whether or not you think these facts are true.” “Today, I am asking you as the Virtual Charter School Board to review these facts and determine that if these facts were proven true at a hearing, would they constitute violation of the contract?” said Assistant Attorney General Marie Schuble, who serves as the board’s legal counsel. Officials stressed that the vote only begins the review process and does not automatically mean Epic’s charter will be revoked. The administrative process was launched in response to a critical state audit. Members of the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted Tuesday to begin a months-long administrative process that could potentially result in termination of the board’s contract with Community Strategies, Inc., the governing board for Epic One-on-One Charter School.
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