Lindsay Wagner of NC Policy Watch reports that the State Board of Education in North Carolina approved 26 new charter schools today, with little discussion.
The most controversial decision was this one:
Among those approved today is South Brunswick Charter School, a fourth charter school to be run by Baker A. Mitchell, Jr.
Over the past several months, Brunswick County school district officials have called out Mitchell for profiting heavily off of taxpayer-funded charter schools that offer no new or innovative educational experiences outside of what traditional public schools already offer. Mitchell also serves on the Charter School Advisory Board, which is tasked with reviewing and recommending charter school applications.
In an impact statement, which the State Board ignored, the local superintendent of schools Dr. Edward Pruden said the charter would offer nothing that is not already available in the public schools.
When South Brunswick Charter School opens this fall, the local public school district could lose more than $2.5 million to start, and double that as the school expands, according to Pruden’s impact statement.
Pruden also explained that the funds redirected to South Brunswick Charter School will not result in the provision of the same level of services to those students as his public school system currently provides. Some examples of those services include transportation and disability support services.
“Brunswick County Schools provide services to all who enter, regardless of social and emotional need or cognitive ability. Reduction of funding impacts programs and services to support additional programs such as school nursing, social workers, counseling, and psychological support,” explained the impact statement.
The founder of the new charter school is profiting handsomely from his existing charters:
South Brunswick Charter School will be operated by the Roger Bacon Academy and will rent property from Coastal Conservancy, LLC. Baker A. Mitchell Jr.—who happens to sit on the Charter School Advisory Board—owns both of those entities.
Mitchell, who currently operates three other public charter schools in the state, paid himself nearly $1.8 million in 2012 for what he characterized as “management fees” to the IRS for running Charter Day School. He has reportedly collected in the neighborhood of $16 million over a five-year period in management fees alone, according to Pruden’s impact statement [boldface added by me].
All of that money, of course, is taxpayer funds. But Mitchell doesn’t have to explain how, for example, he used $630,696 of taxpayer dollars for staff development, as reported on his 2012 Form 990.
The chair of the State Board rejected Pruden’s concern about conflict of interest and told him that the problems should be resolved locally, which of course is a big fat joke.
At least the State Treasurer found it in her heart to worry about what these new charters would do to the local public schools, but she voted for the charters anyway:
North Carolina State Treasurer Janet Cowell expressed concern for local school districts as she voted to approve the 26 new charter schools.
“There is a tipping point for LEAs,” cautioned Cowell, explaining that in school districts where there are high concentrations of charter schools, students’ educational experiences in traditional public schools could be compromised as funds are siphoned away from those budgets and into the coffers of charters.
No problem. North Carolina is monetizing its taxpayer dollars and finding ways for clever entrepreneurs to get rich.
Sorry, off-topic, but did you see this, Diane? Personal, low-interest loans for teachers to buy school supplies: http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/01/teachers-offered-personal-loans-school-supplies
When will the madness end??!!
This makes me sick.
And where is the outrage from the “taxes are too high” crowd?
Reckless and completely cavalier, as usual, and absolutely no concern for the vast majority of children who attend public schools in that state.
Are there any grown-ups in ed reform circles? What about the public school kids? Do they have representation on that board? There isn’t a single adult in government looking out for them?
That’s what happens when one party runs a state. http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/07/how-north-carolina-became-the-wisconsin-of-2013/277007/
http://billmoyers.com/2014/01/09/kansas-court-could-kill-the-right-to-a-decent-public-education/
One party runs the country. It’s known variously as the Democans, the Republicrats, the Oligarchs, the Plutocrats, the Corporate Party and many more names I can’t say on Diane’s blog.
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/February-2014/uno-juan-rangel/?utm_content=buffer330ad&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Great piece on how the ed reform adults in Chicago rubber stamp funding to politically-connected charter school companies. Presumably they’re applying the same rigorous and completely political process to rubber stamp the next batch of applicants.
Has anyone checked back with the children who were displaced from their neighborhood schools in Chicago? How are things going for them under reform? Does anyone care? Philadelphia public school kids don’t seem to be faring too well, nor are those in NJ.
Maybe we should just let the whole state turn into a charter school operation – as an experiment 😉
What else can you call it, eh? I don’t understand why it was voted yes except for that reason.
I did not realize our state board was that pro charter.
I know it’s not much up against the Art Popes and charter operators who are paying themselves 1.8 million a year, but the Moral Monday movement in NC (they support public schools, in addition to voting rights and civil rights) has expanded.
There are now also Truth and Justice Tuesdays.
http://www.wncn.com/story/24301730/nc-moral-mondays-continue-spread-to-other-states
Meanwhile in Kansas…
“Kansas Court Could Kill the Right to a Decent Public Education”
http://billmoyers.com/2014/01/09/kansas-court-could-kill-the-right-to-a-decent-public-education/
Koch Industries is headquartered in Wichita, KS, by the way.
There was another post on this blog today that said that TFA has a high turnover in Kansas. hmm?
OUTRAGEOUS! These folks DON’T care about education. The DEFORMERS WANT MONEY AND TOTAL CONTROL! It’s very scary, folks. The costs of this action will be hugely negative for most and they know this for a fact! It’s about the ELITE being in control of their SERVANTS!
Do watch (on TV or your computer) Bill Moyer’s January 3, 2014 show State of Conflict: North Carolina to understand what’s happening: http://billmoyers.com/episode/full-show-state-of-conflict-north-carolina/
Dr. Pruden the Brunswick superintendent is a knowledgeable man and a successful leader. His district has made some wonderful gains that will be sabotaged through these charter schools. Here he is on video at a legislative session we had at UNCW in the Fall.
It is 2 hours long but worth the watch if you live in NC.
http://uncw.mediasite.mcnc.org/mcnc/Play/9bd358e6583d458bbe09a8523757284b1d
Dr. Pruden speaks at the following times if you want to just hear him for a few minutes:
At 21:15 – 24 minutes Overview
30:43 – 33:18 on teacher tenure (career status)
39:12 -41:00 Teacher pay and professional development (he proposes a 11 month year so teachers get paid for PD)
1:04:42 – 1:06:58 Common core (which he supports since his teachers made all of the curriculum materials associated with it for his district)
1:13:30 – 1:14:58 Local and state taxes, investing in education
At 1 hour 26 minutes a group of teacher give a petition asking to opt out of the merit pay. The question is asked if districts can opt out. Dr. Pruden answers at 1:27:37-1:30
1:43:25 -1:44 School choice
I know Diane is always looking for star superintendents. This is one of ours. He is worth a look.
Was this decision unanimous on the board?
Can we find out which Board Members voted to approve it?
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140109/ARTICLES/140109710/1177?Title=Brunswick-County-charter-schools-under-investigation#gsc.tab=0
Here is about the investigation of the charter schools already in Brunswick. Glad they approved more schools while the current one’s are under federal investigation. I guess the way you get to expand your schools is by breaking the laws with the school’s you have?
State treasurer “offers concerns” and approves, anyway.
I am sooo tired of lukewarm and lies.
What the …??? What were they thinking? This is just so sad. It’s not like watching a train wreck – we are living the train wreck.
Where is the democratic process? The school board is not elected but they get to decide how to spend (throw) our hard earned money and no one can stop this insanity?
Crap.
Has anyone yet made an education reform version of Orwell’s Animal Farm? All that is needed is a good illustrator. Sadly, the all powerful reformers have already written the text.
“Do not worry fellow animals about alleged graft and how the few remaining public schools have 30 to 50 students per class and the most troubled students. Think only of the great miracles we are doing for those disadvantaged students who want to achieve. And if Eva, Mr Mitchell and the other great leaders demand $500,000 per year or more for such success who dare call it graft. Who dare suggest that they are further enriching themselves by diverting their school budgets to anything other than strengthening our glorious revolution for all students.”
Some pigs are more equal than others.