Does charter school funding leave taxpayers holding the bag?
Regular Get Schooled blog readers know Cherokee businessman John Konop as an astute commenter on the economics of education. He’s also a great debater as he focuses on the facts and does not get carried away with politics or ideology.
And he posts under his name, which signals that he stands behind his comments.
Konop has sparked debate in Cherokee County over questions on the funding of a charter school there and who gets stuck with the bill. Konop raised these issues with the Cherokee County School Board at a recent meeting.
Here is a followup letter he sent board member Michael Geist:
Dear Mr. Geist,
According to a recent newspaper article, it seems you are still very confused about why you’re getting so much negative feedback about the lack of fiscal controls in the charter school amendment that you support. I will once again clarify the issues by explaining how the Cherokee Charter Academy (CCA) was funded and how the current charter school amendment fails protect tax payers.
• CCA’s owner/operators (a private company) were given over $1million of taxpayer money as start-up capital.
• CCA’s owner/operators receive a management contract that pays them close to $1 million a year (a rate that is higher on a percentage basis than what Cherokee County currently spends on our public schools). These funds are above and beyond the additional, regular operating money that charter schools receive from the school district.
• CCA’s owner/operators were not required to purchase a guaranteed bond (a form of insurance) that pays the school district in the event the CCA closes midyear (and dumps over 1,000 students back into the system).
If the CCA goes out of business — which looks increasingly likely — its owner/operators get to keep the $1 million start-up capital (and/or whatever assets they bought with it) and have no liabilities. You supported giving a private company over a million dollars, guaranteed profit, and NO downside risk.
This is a terrible deal for taxpayers. You should NOT support forcing taxpayers to capitalize private companies or give them no-obligation government contracts. As a public school board member, your duty is to protect the school’s assets, not look for creative ways to squander them.
The taxpayers of Cherokee County have already been burned with similar deals. For example, we may lose $50 million that went to fund a private recycler that went bust (leaving taxpayers again holding the bag). As you well know, taxpayers across the country have already lost massive amounts of money in poorly structured charter schools deals. For the record, I support charter schools and believe they play an important and positive role in our education system. What I do not support is officeholders like you that make foolish and emotional decisions with taxpayer money.
In closing, Mr. Geist, here are some questions that the taxpayers of Cherokee County would like your answers to:
•Please list all the other school district services that a vendor can perform where taxpayers provide free start-up capital and guaranteed revenue, all with no penalty for failure to perform. Assuming you can’t provide such a list, why did you support the private owner/operators of the Cherokee Charter Academy receiving such a deal?
• Why do you support a charter amendment that does not include the taxpayer protections needed to prevent CCA-like deals from happening again?
Regards,
John Konop
–From Maureen Downey for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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305 comments Add your comment
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
5:50 pm
@ Konop – You say, “And for taking almost no risk they were rewarded with about million dollars a year in profits.”
Kindly tell me what “risks” the central office has taken when they charge the state’s taxpayers $7,897,542.43. They can run that district any old way they please – not achieve, not be fiscally conservative…and NOTHING will happen to them. Where is THEIR risk?
Tell you what. I want you to do an Open Records Request to Cherokee Charter Academy for how much money they actually paid to Charter Schools USA. Go ahead and do it. What you will find is it ISN’T $1M. The Company invested in the school – pumping money in this past year since there was such uncertainty. IF the school closed, who would take the loss? Plus, CSUSA would also not have future business, which their business plan likely counts on. So you see, there is a risk…one that a school district official will NEVER feel or care about as the spend, spend, spend….
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
5:53 pm
@ Ron F. – You are generalizing, my friend. WHO do you know that you can’t trust? And how do you know they aren’t speaking the truth? Tell me, and I will gladly find the answers to show you.
Centrist
September 10th, 2012
5:54 pm
When a debater ignores direct questions and uses slurs (”fanatic”) against another – the losing side has been identified. That is not to say this debate is over, or that one side has yet won – but there is now a clear leader.
John Konop
September 10th, 2012
6:00 pm
charter,
The management company Charter USA which is making close to million dollars a year off Cherokee county tax payers have had schools go out of business. I think that speaks for itself. And please tell me what extra requirements we have on Charter USA that they did not have when the other schools went out of business?
Finally we live in country that allows people to run for school board. If you do not like the schools run for office. Irronically you are the one who keeps avoiding the topic. You have the God given right to support crony capitalism. I am just calling like I see it. Does not this funding you support seem more like a deal in Russia not here?
John Konop
September 10th, 2012
6:06 pm
Centrist,
In all due respect I really do not care if you support crony capitalism. All I am doing is presenting the facts. I learned years ago I only control myself. If you decide to support this crazy funding system that has shown to leave tax payers holding the bag that is your choice. Years ago I warned about the debt issues and lack of production leading to a financial collapse here. I was called “chicken little” by many, yet it did not change the truth. In business we call it is what it is.
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
6:21 pm
@ Konop – Name the schools and locations that have closed under Charter Schools USA Management, please. Are any of them here in Georgia? Every state is vastly different with state policy, particularly charter policy, which is why, I ask you AGAIN, which schools in GEORGIA have closed for financial reasons that were affiliated with management companies? You just said above that there were some, so what are they?
You didn’t answer the other 2 questions I posed.
I think many school districts waste so much money and run like little fiefdoms ready to squash the serfs for an uprising. And I don’t just “think it,” I SHOWED you the waste, and it’s apparent that they are fighting the amendment – if they don’t mind the state authorizing schools, they why care about re-affirming it? You claim to be stating fact…but you have not posed anything verifiable, and I have pushed back and you cannot defend your position….which is very consistent with every opponent on this issue.
You are basing your whole argument on 1 charter school in one district. You are wrong about your one example, but aside from that, I think it is absolutely ridiculous to make a whole stance on this amendment issue based on 1 singular example (that is inaccurate to begin with). Plus, what about all of the charters who don’t want a management organization – they are the vast majority. I think you are tunnel visioned and shortsided on this matter. You are entitled to your vote. However, as you try to “educate” the public on these forums, rest assured I will check every single statement you make and will be sure that the voters have data that they can verify for themselves.
It is a shame you won’t answer any questions posed of you, as it weakens your stance substantially.
3schoolkids
September 10th, 2012
6:24 pm
I would question “does not get carried away with politics and ideology” from the man who posted comments about Kyle Wingfield’s beliefs being in favor of “forcing women to have special needs kids” in a previous blog.
While I don’t disagree with Mr. Konop’s questioning of charter school funding and controls, his being the messenger doesn’t strengthen the argument.
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
6:28 pm
@ John Konop – Observe:
EVERGREEN CONSTRUCTION $11,691,540.00
HARDIN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC $11,393,981.97
DELL $4,890,288.29
GEORGIA POWER COMPANY $4,676,992.62
BARTON MALOW COMPANY $2,902,334.19
US FOODSERVICE $2,714,979.29
MANHATTAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY $2,620,286.00
ALCATEL-LUCENT USA INC $2,061,351.07
MANSFIELD OIL COMPANY INC $1,964,290.64
MAYFIELD DAIRY FARMS INC $1,239,389.99
MANLEY SPANGLER SMITH ARCHITECTS $1,133,667.67
EACH of these companies were paid in excess of a million dollars for providing either a good or a service (CSUSA does both.) These are for-profit organizations. Tell me, please, how this is any different? How does the taxpayer KNOW that the contract with these companies is fair and market value? How does the taxpayer KNOW that we are getting a good value for the good or service? How is the taxpayer protected with these for-profit contracts?
And if you say through an elected board, that is a null point, as I’ve already pointed out that there is NO RISK AND NO RECOURSE for the board OR THE VENDOR.
John Konop
September 10th, 2012
6:30 pm
Charter,
It is obvious you have a private agenda unlike me. Why not first tell all of us who you are so we all understand if you have a private agenda? Btw just use google and you will see the schools.
Kris
September 10th, 2012
6:34 pm
Nattily dirty deal will not do anything for the betterment of Ga period. So whats his angle for charter schools, more relatives he can put in high paying jobs, line his and his cronies pockets.
Georgia being last in education, we do not need additional charter schools WE NEED to FIX the school;s we already have. Less high paid administrators and duplicate staff, put more teachers in the class rooms and PAY them.
Dirty DEal Hope your proud if Ga’s standing last in education.
John Konop
September 10th, 2012
6:35 pm
3school,
I appreciate you are open minded to my comments. I am not a politician, nor spokesmen, just a parent. And if you can reach people better than I, spreading the message, please do it.
Bernie
September 10th, 2012
6:37 pm
The same Developers and Construction Companies of the proposed T-SPLOST plan are just waiting for their piece of the action of the Governor’s $430 million Slush fund for this BOONDOGGLE of a STATE WIDE CHARTER SCHOOL PLAN.
You can count on that they will BUILD IT ….to STEAL IT in cost overruns. LQQK out Georgia Taxpayers there is a dump truck full of cash, your money going to South
Georgia that you will never see.
yuzeyurbrane
September 10th, 2012
6:37 pm
Konop, welcome to the world of CharterStarter. He/she obviously views charter schools with the passion of a true believer. I admire their passion but think sometimes we need dispassionate analysis.
As to Centrist, what do you propose to solve what you perceive is the problem of people who pay both school taxes and private school tuition? Or for those who are sending their kids to public schools because they can’t afford private school tuition and school taxes?
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
6:38 pm
@ John Konop – I have a private agenda? That’s very, very funny. I’m an educator and a mom, John, and I am very, very, very, VERY tired of what is happening in our educational system – to our children and our teachers, and our taxpayers. Unlike many who don’t feel empowered to do anything about it, I DID. I got off my duff and I did something in my community with a group of other people wanting to MAKE a difference. It was like moving a mountain with the local politics, but we did it. Know what I got paid for it? Zilch. I served on a charter board for years for $0 and invested my time, energies, and relevant knowledge to make a difference for kids in my community. I am speaking for the masses who are sick and tired of it all and don’t feel like they have a voice OR a choice. I’m their voice.
You and others like you (i.e, Mary Elizabeth) have no argument that can be substantiated. Your argument does not hold water when you scratch the surface. I didn’t even have to scratch.
Cellophane
September 10th, 2012
6:42 pm
Charter Starter Too– Those companies you listed as vendors had to submit a competitive bid in an RFP process that was open to the public (even Georgia Power has to compete against Cobb EMC in the south end of the county). No such process was held for the Cherokee Charter school. In addition, the construction companies built an asset (a building) that is now held by the community and taxpayers. Charter Schools USA will charge rent to the charter school and use those funds to buy the building, which will belong to the company. And, Charter Schools USA closed multiple schools in Texas when the laws there regarding for-profit management companies changed and they could no longer make as much money (so much for it being “about the children.”).
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
6:53 pm
@ Cellophane – You missed my point, but ok, I’ll go with it.
Construction companies often put up competitive bids – the “low ball” gets selected, and then a bunch of change orders get added on – and suddenly, the cost for the project exceeds the highest bidder. The bid process is only as good as the integrity in which it was established. Don’t put too much faith in it. Most of the vendors who build schools are deeply embedded in local politics – it’s what they do for a living.
The founding group did competitive pricing on management services because the Commission required them to justify their choice. CSUSA is within industry standards for management fees not only in Georgia, but nationwide. The best thing about it, though, is that they, like any other vendor, can be FIRED by the board for non-performance.
My POINT is that ANY for-profit entity is going to try to make the best profit they can, hopefully providing the best service they can. I don’t understand why you feel like the charter vendors are any different. Furthermore, I don’t understand why you feel like school district decisions are any “safer” for the public dollar, or any better for that matter.
Centrist
September 10th, 2012
6:54 pm
John Konop posted “I really do not care if you support crony capitalism”.
John, I initially posted at 12:11 this afternoon “… the well written follow up letter from Mr. Konop, I would stand opposed to the amendment also. I await a response from either school board member Mr. Geist or other representatives supporting the amendment.” Like you, I don’t know who CharterStarter, Too is or his motivations – but I find his arguments lucid. You have become snarly toward him, and now me claiming I support crony capitalism. Prove to me that this is crony capitalism, and I will vote against the amendment – but the simple accusation as argument does not cut it.
I don’t care if private corporations make a profit if they deliver cost effective results. You claim to be a businessman, so should feel the same way. Governments are very good at spending, wasting, and abusing taxpayer funds via cronyism and insider deals just like some companies that use O.P.M. What voters need to know here is it worth trying to set up a competitive trial via charters, and if so – how should it be structured. You have made some salient points, but they have been countered by an anonymous blogger. I look forward to 60 days more debate here and elsewhere before I vote.
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
6:59 pm
@ Centrist – Thank you for those comments. It is my intent to bring FACTS to the arguments and a balanced perspective so that voters can make an informed vote.
I agree with your other commentary in the 2nd paragraph wholeheartedly. And to add to it – charters are earning about 3/4 of what a traditional district earns and spends. If they are educating better (and in most cases they are), and doing it for less, then how can any business person not see the model as something that would benefit our educational system and be something from which the districts could learn???
Centrist
September 10th, 2012
7:05 pm
To CharterStarter, Too – I apologize for seeming sexist when I used the terms he/his before you divulged you are a Mom. Thank you for your volunteerism, just as I thank John Konop for his. I hope there will be a middle ground consensus on this highly charged issue.
MB
September 10th, 2012
7:28 pm
Maureen, Could you post the August 31st position statement of the Georgia PTA regarding the charter commission amendment? It is succinct and factual in its case for the negative impact that passage of this amendment would have on students in Georgia. Sally FitzGerald is an amazing ed policy guru and is bucking the National PTA on this one. (Kudos to her and the state PTA board!) I can’t find it on the GaPTA site, but the full text is on several blogs, so I’m guessing they sent one to the AJC as well. (http://sandysprings.patch.com/articles/georgia-pta-cannot-support-charter-school-amendment) Thanks!
Lynn43
September 10th, 2012
7:29 pm
Palm Bay Charter School owned by the city of Palm Bay managed by Charter Schools USA. June 2010 Charter Schools USA fired and by Friday another management company hired. December 2009 Palm Bay city council minutes. Discussed mismanagement by Charter Schools USA and were trying to find a way to financially open the school after Christmas. If they did find a way, of their debts Charter Schools USA would be paid their 25% management fee first. I have the records.
John Konop
September 10th, 2012
7:38 pm
Centrist,
You do not care if a private company makes a profit with tax payers taking the majority of risk.Wow no wonder we are drowning in debt……..did any of you ever take a class in economics?
Kris
September 10th, 2012
7:43 pm
@ Charter Starter Too “Construction companies often put up competitive bids – the “low ball” gets selected, and then a bunch of change orders get added on: and added on ….The truth….
This smells like another boondoggle GA legislature tsp-LOST boondoggle with family members and political pocket lining at the expense of tax payers.
I thanked the lord the day my child left public education and after college and a lovely daughter in law now in a few years a grand child back in the Ga school system (god help us) we need to fix the public school system rather than outsourcing it.
LD
September 10th, 2012
7:48 pm
The GA PTA position can be found here:
http://www.ciclt.net/sn/new/n_detail.aspx?ClientCode=gapta&N_Id=401021
Prof
September 10th, 2012
7:54 pm
@ Charter Starter, Too. Again and again you shift the grounds of the argument, and introduce red herrings that have nothing to do with the subject.
5:44 pm. What do #2 and #3 have to do with the issue raised by John Konop about charter schools funded by taxpayers that have no accountability? #2 and #3 relate to public schools’ use of funds that have gone awry. To quote an old truism, two wrongs don’t make a right.
….6:28 pm. What do public, non-educational corporations have to do with the present subject?
@ Centrist, 7:05 pm. I doubt strongly that CS2 is simply a volunteer mom. This is about the 5th blog-thread relating to the charter school amendment where she relentlessly answers every negative criticism at great length, late into the evening as well as all during the day. She can only be a legislator who has much to gain politically if this amendment is approved in November. And quite a few legislators are moms.
LD
September 10th, 2012
7:58 pm
I still have not seen a strong valid reason as to why Georgia needs an appointed commission as an appeals process in addition to or in lieu of the state Board of Education. I will grant that the Supreme Court ruling does leave some gray area as to the State’s role in charters. However, if the citizens of Georgia decide to amend our Constitution, why not just clarify and solidify the State Board of Ed’s role. As this was not part of the discussion when creating this ballot question, in my opinion the commission smacks a little too much of “Good Ole Boy” politics.
Centrist
September 10th, 2012
8:01 pm
@ John Konop – Yes I have a solid educational economics background with an Honorable Discharge as an O-4 with 6 years of active duty, and years in the private sector. I (probably like you) do not support the Obama administration’s spending and radically increased debt. I also don’t support many local bloated governments’ spending and lack of accountability and NO risk. I have been a past PTA board member and president, gone to state workshops and been turned off by some of those who use the term “For the Children” as a shield for their personal and political agendas. That is all you need to know about me – time to stick to your facts instead of the insults.
Ron F.
September 10th, 2012
8:09 pm
CS2- I don’t trust pretty much all of the Republicans, and only a small few of the Democrats (and that’s a very slight trust). I certainly don’t trust the governor, and it isn’t worth arguing why I should. As to your comparison to local systems (which I completely agree are rife with problems), you honestly sound like the kid caught in the cookie jar who says “but MOM, he did it too!” Mismanagement is what it is, and it’s wrong no matter who’s doing it. It doesn’t make one side look better or worse to use that as a comparison. I appreciate you taking the time to post the state law, and it does help keep me from overgeneralizing about this. But I am interested to see the details of how the failed schools’ financial obligations are covered. If we’re wasting money in the current public bureaucracy, I certainly don’t want to inadvertently allow it in another system. We have to make sure that doesn’t happen, and we need to strengthen state law if we ever hope to improve the mess in current public education management you pointed out.
Ron F.
September 10th, 2012
8:12 pm
@LD- “why not just clarify and solidify the State Board of Ed’s role. As this was not part of the discussion when creating this ballot question, in my opinion the commission smacks a little too much of “Good Ole Boy” politics”
And it makes me ask why the simple solution just can’t ever be implemented. Even if the charter schools commission is indeed everything it’s touted to be and as necessary as many believe, it’s hard to get past the politics to fairly judge anything coming out of the state house here of late.
John Konop
September 10th, 2012
8:13 pm
Centrist,
In all due respect, I do not understand how anyone who understands economics would ever support this type of transaction. I have many friends like me who put it all on the line to start a business. And many have told me this transaction insults the hard work we put in and risk. Btw they thanked me for speaking up under my own name. Do you understand how people like me would find this transaction insulting to any real entrepuernor? No insult, I am being serious in that I support your right to advocate for crony capitalism, I respectively disagree, but it is your right.
Centrist
September 10th, 2012
8:22 pm
John Konop, I was with you on your last post until you AGAIN accused me of being an advocate of crony capitalism. Your branding it (maybe it will someday turn out to be so, but there is no smoking gun now) and me is the last straw. I will not respond to any more of your posts.
3schoolkids
September 10th, 2012
8:26 pm
John Konop: I am not a spokesperson or politician either. I am a parent (former public and charter) and former volunteer who agrees that it is impossible for our public schools to serve every student to their abilities. However, having seen the reasons why I also doubt that a separate bureaucracy to establish and maintain public charter schools that are not free and open to everyone will be free from the politics and bad decisions made by some of our state’s school boards.
I am attaching a report from The Center for Education Reform outlining closed charter school across the country. While this organization is a pro-charter group the report contains data on the rates of closures and reasons for closed charter schools in our country. There used to be an accompanying spreadsheet of all closed charters in the country by state, but it isn’t there anymore.
http://www.edreform.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/StateOfCharterSchools_CER_Dec2011-Web-1.pdf
When the report was released in December it was fairly controversial because it was seen to bolster both sides of the charter expansion argument (for and against).
In response to Charter Starter, Too, point #3 I believe the changes made to district lines in many county school boards this year are your answer. However, I do believe some voters like me think that legislative move was more like punishment for not going along with the charter referendum, than protecting the taxpayer. Which goes back to why I don’t trust a separate bureaucracy created by those same legislators.
Lastly, in response to an August blog referencing charters and my questions regarding corporal punishment, Pataula Charter Academy’s enrollment packet contains the information regarding their corporal punishment practice. It is located here: http://pataula.org/Page_2.html
It is outlined on pages 14 and 15 of the enrollment packet. While it gives the parent the choice to agree or not agree to the policy, I do not believe any taxpayer funds should go to any school (public, private or charter) with such a policy. And, with the highly publicized question of funding for charters one has to wonder why a school would risk their financial ability to educate their students with a lawsuit stemming from such a policy.
Lastly, while Georgia does not currently have an abundance of charters managed by corporate for profit management organizations the number was growing prior to the 2011 Supreme Court decision and I believe that growth would most definitely occur with the passage of the charter referendum.
There would be considerably less distrust of the state charter commission if the legislature would outline exactly how that body will do a better job than county boards of education. There is obviously much data regarding closed charters in the United States, yet that data doesn’t translate to more effective legislation, just lobbying for more charters.
Go Blue
September 10th, 2012
8:26 pm
What about the Islamic charter schools that are around the US? There is one in Georgia. If we allow charter schools then most any group will try to open these schools.
John Konop
September 10th, 2012
8:39 pm
Charter,
No more debate unless you come clean who you are. Your taliking points are getting old! Btw if you do not tell us, we all know your hands are in this deal somehow…….your comments reek of insider…….l
Prof
September 10th, 2012
8:47 pm
@ John Konop, 8:39 pm. I was thinking, myself, of State Rep. Jan Jones, who introduced HB 797 that proposed the charter school amendment. If you check out her website, you will see that she has owned a small business and introduced several bills relating to education (and thus could by a stretch be termed an “educator,” or one who specializes in the practice and theory of education {American Heritage Dictionary]. And she has 4 children.
John Konop
September 10th, 2012
8:55 pm
Prof,
You could right, Irronically she educated her kids in public school in Milton from what I heard. Btw Milton has great reputation as well as Cherokee, why would they let facts get in the way, how they feel about the issue.
John Konop
September 10th, 2012
9:21 pm
Prof,
You could be right, rather Irronic since from what I hear her kids went to public schools in Milton, which has a great reputation like Cherokee. I find it rather bizarre that parents with good schools, would spew ugly stuff about the schools that help maintain real-estate value. I get the issue with APS, but it would seem people with a real inside advantage edge would only negotiate against their own interest ie job, money, donations……….in places like East Cobb, West Cobb, Cherokee, North Fulton………
DeKalb Teacher
September 10th, 2012
9:27 pm
Mr Konop,
I applaud your courage to debate under your name! CS2’s name, on the other hand, is irrelevant to this conversation. 2 + 2 = 4 whether it comes from a real name or assumed name.
I hope you don’t use that as an excuse to bow out of the conversation with CS2. That would be a disservice to this debate.
Mary Elizabeth
September 10th, 2012
9:30 pm
Ron F, 5:26 pm
“I don’t trust them, and the truly honest up there seem to be few and far between.”
===========================================
One way I have found to assess the full commitment to education among specific legislators in Georgia, aside from politics, is to notice the legislative trends in the bills that specific legislators introduce throughout the legislative sessions. For instance, when Rep. Jan Jones and Rep. Edward Lindsey introduced HB 664 which would not allow teachers in State Commissioned Charter Schools to become part of the Teacher Retirement System, that told me where these specific legislators stood regarding not only the TRS, but also regarding charter school control by legislative decision, rather than primarily through educational decision through the state Department of Education. Later in this past legislative session, Rep. Jan Jones also sponsored the bill to the Constitutional Amendment regarding the State Charter School Commission.
Study the national Republican educational agenda. Study the website, http://www.alecexposed.org, regarding educational legislation advocated by ALEC, notice what Common Cause has to say regarding legislation across the nation related to educational ideological legislation.
If some of Georgia’s Republican legislators are consistently making legislation that is anti-traditional public schools, instead of trying to better traditional public education, and if they are consistently following national rightwing ideological trends in Georgia’s educational legislation, then one must assess that these legislators are probably coordinating outside of Georgia with their legislative educational agendas. That is politically based, imo, more than it is purely educational. Encourage citizens to vote those legislators out of office, and tell others what is happening in this regard, also.
Make sure to follow, specifically, the legislation that will be forthcoming in the next legislative session in Georgia related to educational trends and notice if educational bills are also following a national Republican ideological agenda. In addition, make note of which legislators sponsor which specific bills. Then, you will be able to gather your answer related to the public trust and elected officials serving the common good of all of their constituents.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20112012/116389.pdf
Cellophane
September 10th, 2012
9:54 pm
CS2- the “founding group” did no such analysis. Charter Schools USA attorneys did all their founding paperwork and registrations. Charter Schools USA staff were present at the first meeting of the founding group and gave out board member notebooks and job descriptions. It’s all in the minutes. Charter SchoolsbUSA had submitted petitions in three different counties before the “founding group” even met.
Marney
September 10th, 2012
10:03 pm
Mary E..sorry not to respond for a while. I’m vice-president of the PTSA of the magnet school my two children now attend, and we had our first meeting tonight.
I respect your response and hope that you aren’t assuming that I intend to vote for the amendment. I am just exhausted at watching the time, energy and venom leveled into this debate.
After 10 years spent trying to help a truly innovative, truly altruistic school survive the constant stupidity that is Dekalb, I am at the point of trying merely to save my own children. I have spoken before the DeKalb board many times about the need to consider their own charters an asset rather than a threat. I have tried to ingraciate myself to Crawford Lewis and Pat Pope. I have argued that “chartering” should be viewed not as a separate and unequal ugly stepchild, but as a beachhead to bring new ideas into the traditional system. When I read John Barge’s “brave” position, my desire was to write him an offer. I will trade him my vote on the amendment, if he will do his own job adequately. I no longer want “local control” , I want a state takeover of ALL the schools in my district.
Lenny
September 10th, 2012
10:13 pm
Thank you Ms. Downey for this blog and thank you Mr. Konop for bringing this information to light. I had no idea that a private for profit charter company received taxpayer start-up funds. I foolishly assumed the company was responsible for that. I’m not opposed to charter schools but they should be locally owned and operated so to speak. There is no need for this amendement because it is to approve something that is already possible.
Pride and Joy
September 10th, 2012
10:48 pm
John Konnop, you write that we shuld be fiscally responsible.
I AGREE!
And throwing money at failing public schools is never fiscally responsible.
We hve a thriving charter school in our neighborhood, Drew. Right next to it is the horrific public school, COAN. It was slated for closure but later allowed to stay open and a promise was made to throw more mney into that cesspool and not allow drew charter to exapand as much as it needed to.
So a charter school was servicing teh childre and the public school wasn’t, yet the failing public school got more and more and more money.
Saving failing public schools makes as much sense as saving Morris Brown College.
Middle Grades Math Teacher
September 10th, 2012
10:52 pm
I am not sure if this was addressed earlier, as I haven’t read every comment. Early on the remark was made that Dr. Petruzielo, superintendent of Cherokee County School District, has six secretaries. That is incorrect. There are two administrative assistant positions that report to him. When you consider that he is, essentially, the CEO of Cherokee County’s largest employer, I think that puts that into a different perspective. The Open Georgia website incorrectly coded several Assistant Superintendent secretaries as Superintendent secretaries last year, and that is where the confusion may lie.
I think it is hypocritical that many for-profit “charter” supporters howl about the salaries that superintendents earn, but have no problem with management fees that are climbing towards one MILLION dollars being paid to the corporations such as Charter Schools USA. If you take a look at the administrative costs in Cherokee County Schools, you will see that CCSD ranks as one of the lowest in the metro area as far as administrative costs as a percentage of the operating budget.
Pride and Joy
September 10th, 2012
10:52 pm
Another day, another charter school bashing blog.
I’m going to search the archives to determine how many charter bashing blogs we’ve had this year. I bet there are at least thirty.
It’s all good though.
The Republicans are in power in Georgia and they want more charter schools. Also, the national PTA has endorsed charter schools wiht only ONE state out of step with the rest of the country — Georgia of course.
Georgia is the only state in the union that goes against the national PTA and it will be obvious who will win this debate, regardless how many times Get Schooled blogs bash the charter schools — they’re here to stay — even in Georgia.
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
11:04 pm
@ Lynn43 – Please share the website for the board minutes and information pertaining to the financial status. I have not been able to locate them or any other information online (even scrolling through 4 pages of links) that references this. What I DID find is this about their performance: http://www.city-data.com/school/palm-bay-academy-charter-school-fl.html. Looks like the school did pretty stellar academically through the years. I can’t speak to the financials until you can show me your source.
@ Ron F. – Here’s the problem. You are assuming Charter Schools USA has done something wrong by managing this school. There has been absolutely no complaint of wrong doing by CSUSA in their management of Cherokee Charter Academy. Although Cherokee Charter Academy doesn’t have a published audit yet, Coweta does – and there were NO findings at all in statement of financial position, financial controls, or compliance. So, you are hearing Mr. Konop disagree with a contract that the Cherokee Board executed (much like traditional boards execute for all sorts of goods and services), but that does NOT mean he is right or that there is wrong doing. We can all disagree all day long with who deserves what contract at what price, but the fact is that school boards (charter and districts) have within their purview the right to enter contracts that are in the best interest of the school/system.
Now, Ron, I am not bringing up to all of you the school district mismanagement for any other purpose than to help the readers understand what is REALLY going with our public education system and what they are protecting. For all of the hot air blown about this “added” bureaucracy of the Commission (which was 5 people…that will do a lot of the function of the charter schools office at the state), I have SHOWN you what “added bureaucracy” looks like at a local school district. I have given factual, illustrative examples – Mr. Konop didn’t like the truth about his school district being laid out there, but you can check it for yourself and see it’s the truth.
As for trust – I understand that. I’ve become pretty cynical over the years myself (I truly used to be sweet natured and naive…. if you can believe that.
They cynicism is why I always try to share information that you can check for yourself. Facts don’t require spin – they are obvious prima facie. I hope you will consider what I am saying and why it is important to the public to know these things – really regardless of how you vote in the election (I hope it’s yes, of course). The fight the districts are putting up over this amendment is really just symptomatic of a much larger issue.
@ Lenny – How do you know that Mr. Konop is right about the start up funds? I encourage you to call the charter schools office at the state and ask them what start up funds are available to schools, under what conditions, and how much they can get. Please particularly ask if those funds are awarded to management companies.
@ Konop – I don’t have to tell you my name, as it is irrelevant (but I will tell you that it is NOT Jan Jones- although I must say, I’m flattered.) We are all here to express our opinions as parents, community servants, taxpayers, etc. You’re right about one thing though – no more debate. It is a complete waste of time to debate with someone who can’t hold up their end of the the argument and has yet to answer a SINGLE question I’ve posed.
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
11:14 pm
@ Ron F. and LD – Please go here and download the brief presented by Attorney General Sam Olens requesting reconsideration by the Supreme Court and WHY it is necessary. http://law.ga.gov/press-releases/2011-05-26/attorney-general-sam-olens-asks-georgia-supreme-court-reconsider-charter
And here is Judge Nahmias’ dissenting opinion which also explains the problem and the only solution…which is a Constitutional Amendment. http://scogblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/gwinnett-county-v-cox-nahmias-dissent.pdf
Believe me, if it was as simple as letting the state board continue to authorize on appeal without any concern of legal recourse by districts, the charter sector would have gladly done that instead. Unfortunately, we know that won’t work.
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
11:24 pm
@ Middle Grades Math Teacher – What they reported was 6 in 2010. Could it be an error? Sure if could. No proof it IS an error, but let’s assume your’e right for a moment. Those individuals were STILL secretaries at central office – so maybe they served someone else up there and not Dr. P…still, they got 6.5% raises and take up over $300,000 when the district was furloughing the front line. I’m sorry, but cuts should be taken from the classrooms LAST. As a teacher, I cannot believe you don’t agree with that.
CharterStarter, Too
September 10th, 2012
11:34 pm
@ Middle Grades Math Teacher – I’m sorry, but I just reread what you wrote…emphasis added.
“The Open Georgia website incorrectly coded several ASSISTANT Superintendent secretaries as Superintendent secretaries last year, and that is where the confusion may lie.”
Are you telling me that the man’s secretaries have secretaries? Good Lord!!!
bigbill
September 10th, 2012
11:54 pm
Mary Elizabeth 9:30 PM
I really admire the way you keep plugging away, exposing and explaining these “national rightwing ideological trends” which are “anti-traditional public schools” and focusing on the various strategies employed by the wealthy extreme rightwing Republican proponents of this massive, nationwide movement to privatize public schools and convert the education of our nations children and college students into profit centers for their financial benefit. For that is exactly what is happening and must be fought on every front. And it’s not just the billionaire Koch brothers’ Americans For Prosperity, Betsy Devos’s American Federation For Children, and Gary Bauer’s Family Research Council, all of which are vigorously supporting this constitutional amendment in Georgia, it’s also radical right wing Republicans like Philip Anschutz, the oil and gas billionaire who co-produced “Waiting For Superman” and the latest public school privatization propaganda movie, “Won’t Back Down.” Click here for more on this: http://nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com/2012/08/faq-re-movie-wont-back-down-and-parent.html Thanks, Elizabeth, and thanks John Konop for speaking up. You are appreciated.