Bill Phillis of the Ohio Coalition for Education and dequacy writes:
The Ohio Department of Education will limit investigation to one Gulen Horizon Science Academy charter school.
After four former teachers in a Dayton Horizon Science Academy charter school testified on July 15 regarding serious irregularities in that school setting, some state board of education members called on the Department of Education (ODE) to investigate the whole chain of Gulen charter schools that operate in Ohio. ODE, however, has announced that only the Dayton charter school will be investigated.
Perhaps ODE officials are not aware:
that the FBI recently raided three Ohio Gulen charter schools and a total of 19 in various states.
that Los Angeles United School District is investigating the network of eight Gulen charter school authorized by that District. The investigation involves charter school funds being used for immigration costs, loans to the management company, some of which were not repaid.
of the FBI raid on the Des Plaines, IL headquarters of Concept Schools, the management company for Horizon Science Academies (Search and Seizure warrant, Case No. 14MZ87, dated June 17, 2014).
that some Horizon Science Academy board members refuse to respond to questions about their citizenship
that Concept schools have attempted to import nearly 400 Turkish teachers, arguing that Ohio’s workforce lacks high quality educators to fill positions.
The issues surrounding the Concept charter school chain, (Horizon Science Academies and Noble Science Academies) are systemic. ODE should be investigating the entire chain. The members of the State Board of Education, by virtue of their constitutional oath, are duty bound to force ODE to investigate, not only the Gulen chain, but all of charterland.
The lack of transparency and accountability inherent in Ohio charter school law should prompt the State Board of Education to fill the void by aggressively pursuing the misdeeds of charters.
William Phillis
Ohio E & A
Ohio E & A | 100 S. 3rd Street | Columbus | OH | 43215
Diane Ravitch's blog 
This is true. I expressed my thought on this elsewhere without using the names of the schools. I am very frustrated with this administration’s lack of responsibility.
So glad that in DC, they were approved for a charter. Makes the trip from downtown to the school so much easier for the FBI. Why heck, they can take a cab or a bus when and if they need to investigate locally.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/07/22/FBI_seized_records_hard_drives_from_Horizon_charter_schools.html
scandalous. The reality is NO ONE in office Ohio seems to have the backs of public school children and teachers. The ODE,State Board of Ed, our governor, AG, GA, Auditor — all of them are cheerleaders for the privatization and “choice” movement. It is up to US (teachers and parents) to fight the good fight and work for change in November. This blog and BATs have meant an incredible amount to me as I find my voice and speak out.
So come on, Ohio!!! Get active! Speak at school board meetings, attend rallies, join campaigns, educate your friends, family and colleagues, opt out, run for office!! It is up to US to save our beloved public schools!
Ed Fitzgerald is pro-public schools. Oust Kasich.
I think he is…he now has an issue to use. Lets see if he does.
In Ohio, vote for Democrat Gillis, instead of Beagle, in District 5, and Schneider, instead of Maag, in District 62.
Pepper deserves our vote for attorney general.
Has Dewine said one word about the allegations of charter misdeeds, fraud convictions or conflicts of interest,….?
I had the opportunity to meet both David Pepper and Ed Fitzgerald recently. Both seem to “get it.” I told Fitzgerald Sunday that we (teachers) had been burned by other Democrats like Obama, Duncan, Rahm, and Cuomo and that we needed assurances that he did not favor the move to privatize our schools. With 2 sisters and a wife that work in public schools, he emphatically told me that he believes in public education. Further, he spoke eloquently about the need to instill in children a lifelong love of learning – not testing!! He admitted that when he began his campaign he thought SB5 was the only complaint teachers had but that his eyes were now wide open (thanks to teachers around the state and OhioBATS, which he acknowledged) about our concerns. He has my vote and I will work tirelessly to see that he gets elected.
David Pepper was equally impressive. He spoke to me mainly about his pledge to crack down on charters. I suggested to him that his office could be kept equally busy pursuing the Pearson monopoly and other “pay to play” educational issues. I am from Southwest Ohio and so is he. He is eager to meet with others (including BATS)in different parts of the state. Maureen Reedy has graciously given the “nod” to him speaking at the next meeting of Central Ohio Friends of Public Education. If anyone else has an opportunity for him to speak at your meetings please let me know and I will see if I can help arrange it.
Ed Fitzgerald will be at the Democratic tent at the Butler County Fair, Hamilton, Ohio, on Friday, July 25, from 6:00-6:30. Spread the word.
Thanks Deb – will do. Might even go myself :).
^o^
A few years ago, the Texas Legislature was supposedly investigating the Gulen Harmony schools. But no report came out on the findings and Harmony keeps operating and opening new schools. It became obvious that the Gulenists have successfully bought out Texas politicians.
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/06/29/texas-legislature-to-launch-investigation-of-charter-schools/
Yes.
“The members of the State Board of Education, by virtue of their constitutional oath, are duty bound to force ODE to investigate, not only the Gulen chain, but all of charterland.”
I tried the “Duty bound by virtue of your constitutional oath” on serveral “Public Servants”
in relation to the UNconstitutional funding finding by high court.
“How does one UPHOLD the constitution by promoting an unconstitutional act”?
Pushing string still doesn’t work. Puppets…
I am an Ohio teacher praying Kasich does not get reelected. I have lived my entire life in Ohio (51 years), and I have never witnessed a governor so intent on destroying public education. Lucky for him and his wife – his 14 year old daughters attend private school and do not have to suffer with the toxic policies he has created. If Kasich is reelected (and he has TONS of money), I don’t know if our Ohio schools can survive 4 more years of his hateful views on teachers and public schools. He is one mean, vindictive man. As I’ve said, I hope he likes very, very hot places. He is headed there.