Dear Assistant Superintendent Hickman:

   Shelly Hickman, M.Ed., Assistant Superintendent for EPIC Charter Schools - felt compelled to criticize my objections to EPIC Charter Schools' blatant recruiting of local students and teachers. Hickman is listed as EPIC's "Managing Director of External Affairs" and serves as the chief media spokesperson. She is responsible for strategic communications (for recruiting purposes), marketing (for recruiting purposes), and community relations (for recruiting purposes), and yes - recruiting teachers and students. In her "Letter" to local newspapers, Assistant Superintendent Hickman begins "... Jim Beckham blatantly accused Epic Charter Schools of trying to recruit students...", and "We were shocked...", thereby.. strategically communicating that EPIC does not recruit students, and was surprised that anyone could think so.
   Since Ms. Hickman seems to be a regular reader of local newspapers and my public school support blog, I have a few questions. These questions were first posed to Shelly in December of 2018, and she promised a response was forthcoming, but only crickets have been heard since. Since I don't have a bachelor's degree in mass communications or a master's degree in education, as does Shelly Hickman (I have an H.D., Hayseed Doctorate), please strategically communicate your answers at my level, as I'm a farmer/rancher:

1) The OSBI is currently investigating you (EPIC) for enrolling students already attending private schools across Oklahoma. You are reportedly accepting state aid for students not attending EPIC, which may constitute "defrauding" the state of tax dollars. Please explain?

2) Article 10, section 15 of the Oklahoma Constitution states "... the credit of the State shall not be given, pledged, or loaned to any individual... nor shall the State .. make donation by gift...". In addition, State Law 70-16-121 states "... all textbooks shall be owned by such (school) districts..." How has EPIC circumvented the Oklahoma Constitution and State Law in gifting more than 6,000 laptop computers and more than $3,000,000 to individuals?

3) You (EPIC) have reported class sizes of 25-30 students, but five (5) EPIC high school teachers are reported as having over 2,000 students each in U.S. History (2,239 students), Chemistry I and Biology I (2039 students), Geometry and Algebra II (2,098 students), English I,II,III, and IV (2,746 students), and Algebra I (2,948 students). Please explain?

4) State Law prohibits a public school of EPIC proportions to exceed 5% in administrative costs. According to 2017 Oklahoma Cost Accounting System reports, EPIC has 3.28% in administrative costs; however, the August 2017 auditor's report reflects that EPIC expended an additional 10% for a total 13.28% in administrative costs. How do you reconcile, Shelly?

5) The 2017 graduation rate report from the Oklahoma State Department of Education lists EPIC with a 35.7% student graduation rate, while Oklahoma traditional public schools average 86%. Is this rate part of the "world-class learning opportunities" that you market?

   I have several more questions to ask, but I now have to go feed the cows, literally. I'm counting on you to strategically communicate and market some answers to the five questions above, however, and I'll have a few more next week. I'm betting we'll only hear crickets, once again...