Articles
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Education
Experts warn against ban on for-profit management
In its audit of Epic Charter Schools, the office of the Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector urged lawmakers to follow the lead of California Democrats by banning for-profit entities from managing Oklahoma charter schools.Ray Carter | October 28, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
AG concludes Stitt’s scholarship program is legal
A legal analysis released by the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General concludes that Gov. Kevin Stitt complied with federal law when he authorized use of some federal funds for scholarships that help low-income children attend private school.Ray Carter | October 23, 2020
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Education
Virtual board has lack of experience, potential conflicts
The members of the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, which recently launched a review of its contract with Epic Charter Schools following a critical state audit, generally lack experience with charter schools and appear to have limited experience in online education.Ray Carter | October 23, 2020
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Education
OSDE officials dispute Epic audit findings
Officials with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, criticized for lackluster and ineffective financial oversight in a state audit of Epic Charter Schools, disputed portions of the audit in an appearance before lawmakers.Ray Carter | October 22, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Deer Creek revenues, enrollment growing
Officials in many school districts continue to insist that funding is inadequate. So let's take a look at the available revenues in selected Oklahoma districts.Curtis Shelton | October 20, 2020
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Education
Hofmeister, board routinely waive school finance penalties
The State Board of Education, chaired by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, recently voted to impose more than $11 million in “clawback” penalties on Epic Charter Schools for alleged improper coding of administrative costs on state finances reports.Ray Carter | October 15, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Department of Education budget request unrealistic
The Oklahoma State Board of Education recently released its fiscal year 2022 budget request and is asking for an increase of $191 million over the current level.Curtis Shelton | October 15, 2020
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Education
Review process launched into Epic’s charter
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.Ray Carter | October 13, 2020
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Education
Medical officials favor school reopening
Roughly one-quarter of the way through the school year, the debate over in-person instruction continues with some districts continuing to severely curtail classroom lessons while other districts remain fully online due to alleged concerns about COVID-19.Ray Carter | October 13, 2020
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Education
Epic ordered to repay $11 million
Members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education have ordered Epic Charter Schools, a virtual K-12 provider, to repay $11.2 million to the state.Ray Carter | October 12, 2020