FL's largest charter school company under investigation. Academica audit underway.

[madfloridian]

From the Tampa Bay Times:

Florida charter school management company under federal scrutiny

The state's largest charter school management company has come under scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Education for potential conflicts of interests in its business practices, federal authorities have confirmed.

The Education Department's Inspector General Office is auditing the South Miami-based Academica Corp. as part of a broader examination of school management companies nationwide. The audit will be complete this summer, department spokeswoman Catherine Grant said.

This is happening just as the Florida legislature is considering loosening laws to allow expansion of charter schools in Florida. One bill was to be voted on today. Have not yet heard the result.

The Education Department's findings come as the Florida Legislature considers a bill that could weaken school districts' ability to control business practices at new charter schools.

Under current law, school systems have the power to negotiate contracts with new charter schools. HB 7083 would mandate the use of a standardized contract, meaning school districts would give up most of their leverage.

These charter schools have huge holdings and financial assets in this state.

From Daily Kos 2011:

FL's richest charter school company has close ties to state legislators, Bahamian retreats.

Academica’s achievements have been profitable. The South Miami company receives more than $9 million a year in management fees just from its South Florida charter schools — fees that ultimately come from public tax dollars.

More about their land holdings.

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas On a sun-drenched weekend in September, a group of South Florida charter school principals jetted off to a leadership retreat at The Cove, an exclusive enclave of the Atlantis resort. A Friday morning meeting gave way to champagne flutes, a dip in the pool and a trip down a waterslide. The evening ended at the casino.

.."Zulueta had reason to cheer. During the past 15 years, Zulueta and his brother, Ignacio, have built Academica into Florida’s largest and richest for-profit charter school management company, and one of the largest in the country. In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, Academica runs more than 60 schools with $158 million in total annual revenue and more than 20,000 students — more pupils than 38 Florida school districts, records show.

....But the Zuluetas’ greatest financial success is largely unseen: Through more than two dozen other companies, the Zuluetas control more than $115 million in South Florida real estate — all exempt from property taxes as public schools — and act as landlords for many of Academica’s signature schools, records show.

All exempt from property taxes.

More at this link about charter school fraudulent practices in other states as well.

[madfloridian]

1. More. Charter teacher fired after illness. Sues for medical discrimination, says uncertified...

teachers being hired there.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/complaint-targets-hillsborough-school-operated-by-charter-schools-usa/2174380

As if Woodmont Charter School did not have enough problems, a former teacher has lodged a discrimination complaint and says the F-rated school uses teachers who are not properly certified.

....A former teacher and parent at Woodmont, Gilmore said she was fired this year after she took time off due to an illness. In addition to contacting the district, she said she filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging discrimination based on her race, gender, age and medical disability.

The district is looking into Gilmore's allegations, Hodgens said. If instructors are teaching subjects without certifications, Hodgens said she will find out if they have the required "out of field" approvals.

A spokeswoman for Charter Schools USA, the Fort Lauderdale company that runs Woodmont, said the company could not discuss Gilmore's allegations about her treatment because of employee privacy concerns.

[Enthusiast]

2. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

[Starry Messenger]

3. K&R

[quaker bill]

4. K&R

[Wilms]

5. ^

[madfloridian]

6. The tweets are much appreciated.

Shows more are paying attention to the folks like the Zuluetas who are living large on our taxpayer money.