The leader of Cincinnati’s largest charter school pleaded guilty to charges of misusing school funds.
This story was published by the Cincinnati Enquirer but ignored by the Columbus Dispatch.
When will the public wake up and demand accountability and transparency from charters?
“A former superintendent accused of using her charter school as her “personal feifdom” is now a convicted felon, marking the latest blemish for charter schools in this region and statewide.
“Lisa Hamm, who ran the Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy, the region’s largest charter school, cut a deal with prosecutors last week. She pleaded guilty Oct. 8 to three of 26 felony counts against her. The remaining charges, including multiple counts of theft in office and tampering with evidence, were dismissed.”
“Hamm, who court documents claim ran the school as her “personal fiefdom,” could get up to 18 months in prison on the charges of unauthorized use of property. Probation is also an option. She agreed to repay $75,000 to the school. She’s scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 24 by Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge John West.
Hamm of Fairfield, and former treasurer Stephanie Millard, of Walnut Hills, were accused of stealing or misusing $148,000 in taxpayer money that should have gone to educating the 950 students at Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy. The court documents allege Hamm instead used the money to pay for extravagant trips, plays, concerts, luggage, spa visits, jewelry veterinary care and other personal uses…..”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
An Alford plea to FELONIES? It’s one thing to enter an Alford plea on a misdemeanor — but FELONIES. WOW. Wonder when the NYS Comptroller’s Office will figure out a way to audit charters here. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/17/former-charter-school-leader-gets-plea-deal/17438269/
LikeLike
Ohio is not the only state where the FBI is busy with charter schools. The Office of the State Auditor for New Mexico completed a two year audit/investigation for the Southwest Learning Center Schools in Albuquerque, NM. The State Auditor’s finding were turned over to the FBI. The FBI is doing a full blown investigation of these schools. The results of the FBI investigation should be very, very interesting.
LikeLike
It’s been fun to watch Ohio lawmakers pretend they didn’t know anything about ANY of this.
It’s become a political problem for ed reformers now, but the at the outset critics were jeered at and dismissed. Here’s an example of that::
“The controversy surrounding ODE’s response to the Concept Schools allegations grew July 18, when the department’s head of communications John Charlton sent a response to charter school critics via his personal Twitter account. In the tweet, he advised opponents of charter schools to “take a break from muckraking and enjoy the weekend. Maybe you can get laid. Lol.” Charlton later apologized for the tweet. The ODE said he could face disciplinary measures.”
Eventually it reaches a tipping point, becomes a political risk to the larger goal of closing public schools and opening charter schools, and then lobbyists and their politicians respond.
New Mexico will catch up. Ohio has had ed reform longer than a lot of states. It doesn’t get better, only worse 🙂
http://citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-30764-public_money_private_problems.html
LikeLike
Allen said Hamm just wants to move on. (I’ll help her pack) Lets hope this is a career ender for her.
LikeLike
Enron to edrob, same story.
LikeLike
Oh how the mighty have fallen!
LikeLike
Diane, I’m wondering why Arne Duncan didn’t mention this to parents when he spoke to the national PTA about South Korea’s test scores:
“But many South Koreans say praise for those achievements often overlooks where the gains come from and at what cost. South Koreans poured $19 billion into private tutoring in 2009, more than half the sum spent on public education. That paid for a range of lessons, including English tutoring, accelerated math classes and endless college exam preparation.”
But South Korea leads the world in private tutoring. “In Korea, you can’t afford to opt out,” Bray said. The average Korean family spent nearly 20 percent of its income on private tutoring, according to a 2007 report by the Hyundai Research Institute, a think tank.”
Now. You tell me. Why wouldn’t the US Secretary of Education mention that South Korean parents are paying huge amounts out of pocket for those miraculous test scores? Why is he comparing the US public school system to a system that relies on families devoting 20% of their income to private, for-profit tutors?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/s-korea-tries-to-wrest-control-from-booming-private-tutoring-industry/2011/01/12/AFNXQfXC_story.html
LikeLike
Excellent question!
LikeLike