Complicity by Silence: The Epic Racket

   Most people believe that to remain silent on any illegal or unethical practice, especially when incontrovertible evidence indicates illegal or unethical behavior, is to be complicit. The practice of remaining silent when one knows that possible illegal and certainly unethical behavior is going on - is complicity by silence.
   When people know the difference between right and wrong, ethical and unethical, and even legal and illegal - but sit idly by or say nothing when they see unethical or illegal actions - inaction or silence can mean complicity. Many public school teachers, officials, and supporters have not sat idly by or remained silent while Epic Virtual and Blended school owners have become millionaires at Oklahoma tax payer expense. These teachers and education supporters have openly voiced their opposition to the Epic racketeering going on in our state, and have stood up to the unethical and illegal activities. They (teachers and public school supporters) can do very little about the problem, but still call it out for what it is.
   While teachers and other public school employees usually aren't listened to when they object to illegal or unethical behavior by Epic Virtual or Blended Public School owners, there are a few entities such as law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys who are listened to. When the questioned behavior is unethical, but not illegal, it often falls upon our state lawmakers and other elected public officials (Senators and Representatives) to voice concern and ask the hard questions.
   Senator Ron Sharp (R) of Shawnee is one such lawmaker who is not afraid to stand up for the public interest and demand answers from Epic. He continues to demand answers from Epic, and even from his fellow lawmakers - many of whom have chosen to remain silent, concerning the alleged misappropriation of tax payer funds. According to Senator Sharp, about $11.2 million in tax payer dollars has flown out the door - going to the owners of Epic, instead of to Oklahoma students. Since Oklahoma senators and representatives are in charge of overseeing how tax dollars are spent and not squandered, it stands to reason that lawmakers would be upset at how this waste of money has been allowed to go on. Senator Sharp has faced the wrath of Epic, however, as it has hired private investigators to "dig up dirt", threatened his job by encouraging Senate leadership to "fire" him, and threatened lawsuits for "slandering" Epic owners. Senator Sharp is alone in asking the tough questions and demanding answers in behalf of Oklahoma tax payers, because many other lawmakers are evidently complicit with Epic in their silence.
   This "complicity by silence" is not a fact, however, until those lawmakers have been given the opportunity to voice their opinion. Senator Ron Sharp does not represent my home district, so it may only be fair to give my senator and representative a chance to speak their opinions and protect Oklahoma tax dollars which should be going to Oklahoma students. Senator Paul Scott (R) of Duncan and Representative Cindy Roe (R) of Lindsay are my local lawmakers. Since Epic opened a school in Blanchard several weeks ago, I think it only fair to give both lawmakers a chance to comment. I plan on asking these tough questions of both Roe and Scott at a legislative meeting for educators on November 21 in Wayne, Oklahoma. It will be interesting to hear their answers to some very political questions. I'll publish the responses in this post after November 21.