A media release on Thursday, December 13, reads "Sharp files bills to increase oversight and accountability of virtual charter schools". Senator Ron Sharp (R) of Shawnee knows that millions of taxpayer dollars are being poured into virtual charter schools with little or no accountability of expenditures, attendance, or student performance (See Epic Questions). He said that "People are tired of low rankings, poor test scores, and high drop-out rates yet these problems exist in our virtual charter schools and the state continues to pour money into them. Educators around the state are demanding changes."
Among the bills filed by Senator Sharp are:
SB 52 would prohibit public schools, charter schools and virtual charter schools from spending state-appropriated funds (public taxpayer dollars) on private extracurricular lessons, such as gymnastics or music lessons. Also prohibited, may be spending public tax dollars for private "educational" field trips.
SB 53 would prohibit a dependent school district (K-8th) from converting all or any part of the district into a conversion school allowing it to act like a (virtual) charter school. It also prohibits any conversion school from contracting with a (private) management organization. This bill will prevent any pyramid/ponzi schemes from being developed in Oklahoma public schools.
SB 54 would establish a new funding process for virtual charter schools based on course completion/progress... Monthly state aid payments would only be provided if a student makes a D or better in a course. Wow! this is an "epic" bill! With 10% or so of passing test scores, virtual providers will soon be out of business - and with around a 35% graduation rate, most virtual pyramid schemers will be reduced to millionaires... from their billionaire status. This could be the one bill that will break the epic piggy bank.
SB 56 would require virtual charter schools to submit attendance records of enrolled students to the student's resident district. Traditional public schools are required by law to comply with compulsory student attendance. Since virtual charter schools are public schools, and virtual charter schools exist within traditional public school districts - this bill will ensure compliance with compulsory attendance. It will also ensure that virtual charter schools are not receiving state appropriations for students not attending.
SB 57 would prohibit public schools, charter schools and virtual charter schools from providing bonuses for the recruitment of students or teachers. On Epic Virtual Charter School's website it provides information... that enrolled students may receive more money deposited in their "education checking account" for referring traditional public school students to Epic. It is also a fact that teachers receive bonuses for recruiting and retaining students for Epic. This philosophy of "recruitment for pay" is the foundation of a ponzi or pyramid business scheme.
*SB 60 would require superintendent salaries and fringe benefits to be paid with only district (ad valorem dollars and dedicated local funds. (Epic virtual charter school administrators can relax, as Epic is currently exempt in reporting its superintendent's salary!) The bill would stop any state appropriated dollars from being used for the (superintendent) salaries in order for them (state appropriated funds) to be diverted to the classroom... Currently the legislature does not set or control administrative salaries and SB 60 would ensure that local districts would not only control the decision but the funds that pay for superintendent salaries. The bill would also prevent state control of administrative spending and place more of it at the local level. It would become very difficult to justify "forced" state school consolidation if administrative function costs were only incurred locally.
SB 879 would amend 70 O.S. 2011, Section 3-132 by removing language allowing the State Board of Education to sponsor a charter school under certain circumstances. It would prohibit the State Board of Education from sponsoring certain charter schools after a certain date. This bill would effectively place the authority for sponsoring charter schools in the hands of local boards of education.
The accountability provided by these bills are for traditional public schools, brick and mortar charters and virtual charters, and are non-discimminatory. Many states already have such laws, so it's time Oklahoma caught up. If these bills and others like them become law, Oklahoma can provide accountability to tax-payers and students alike.
These bills will be vigorously opposed by Epic and other private management organizations for obvious reasons. When millions of taxpayer dollars are at stake for private entrepreneurs, they consider it serious business. Epic chiefs, as well as other virtual providers believe they've covered all bases, however, as they've invested heavily for prevention of accountability bills. ( See
Buying Influence).
To be continued...
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