Articles
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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
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Budget & Tax, Education
For-profit companies receive public school money
Earlier this week, state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister heaped praise on a private-sector product that is helping to keep Oklahoma students safe.Curtis Shelton | October 9, 2020
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Education
Epic parents vote with their feet, shrug off controversy
As Epic Charter Schools continues to battle perceptions created by a critical financial audit, it seems that parents are equally eager to vote with their feet by enrolling their children in Epic.Mike Brake | October 9, 2020