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Jul
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2019

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Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 Sulphur Times-Democrat
Aug State Funding For Epic
01
2019 Sustained Amid Investigation
by Steve Metzer
Page The Journal Record
0009 OKLAHOMA CITY – Stu-
dents enrolled in Oklahoma’s
Clip
online Epic Charter Schools
resized
won’t see any disruption in their
46%
education at the start of the new
school year, despite questions
swirling about administration of
the schools and audits underway.
State Superintendent of Public
Instruction Joy Hofmeister spoke
briefly about Epic on Thursday
during and after a meeting of the
State Board of Education. She
said state funding for Epic won’t
be disrupted as an investigation
of the charter schools continues.
She added, however, that a thor-
ough review of the schools is
needed and that the Oklahoma
Legislature is considering options
for making Epic’s administration
more transparent.
The Oklahoma State Bureau
of Investigation has launched a
probe into allegations of racke-
teering, funds obtained under false
pretenses and embezzlement of
state funds meant for education
received by Epic. The OSBI filed
court papers and served a search
warrant recently stemming from
accusations that Epic enrolled
“ghost students” to increase
funding, that “dual enrollment”
of home-schooled students and
students in other private schools
was allowed inappropriately, and
that students who completed no
work or who had moved outside
Oklahoma were allowed to remain
on enrollment lists.
Millions of taxpayer dollars
may have been earmarked for the
schools based on padded numbers.
According to Oklahoma Watch,
which first reported on the online
schools in 2016, Epic has enrolled
about 21,000 students and was
allocated $112.9 million in state
1
2
9
1
1
1
tant superintendent of commu- 2
nications, could not be reached
subpoena records. authorities, if it’s needed.
2
“We have a very clear level of “As we discussed accredita-
for comment on Thursday, but
accountability for those who re- tion and the Aug. 1 distribution
3
she had previously released a 3
ceive state funds for public school of funds to schools that are ac-
statement: “We are audited by the 3
students, and I think there always credited, the indication was that
State Department of Education 3
needs to be an examination. Are we should keep moving forward
and state-approved auditors each 5
we receiving accurate informa- as we are doing unless directed
school year and are supremely
tion? And an examination of how otherwise,” she said. “There was
confident that we operate our 5
that transparency can be clearer not an anticipation of disruption
public school system within the 5
is always a good conversation to of educational services for stu-
boundaries of state and federal 7
have,” she said. dents.”
law. This latest attack comes at 1
a time when our growth makes 1
“We also don’t have lists Hofmeister added that virtual
status-quo education lobbying
of students enrolled in private schools play an important role in
groups uncomfortable. We are
school or in home school,” Hof- education.
considering legal action to combat
meister noted. “That would be
what we believe is a coordinated 1
something (that would require) “I think it’s important to say
effort to damage our school, our 1
legislative change, but I think that there is a really important
co-founders and our staff.”
Oklahoma would need to decide place for virtual schools and (for
Hofmeister told members of 1
how far should that reach be of providing that) opportunity for
the State Board of Education that 5
the government into the personal students. ... That is also something
she joined Gov. Kevin Stitt in ask- 9
lives of families. We asked and that school superintendents that
ing for a review of financial and 9
sought legislative remedies (to have virtual academies have ex-
other records dating back three
answer earlier questions about the pressed concern, that we be very
years for Epic, which was founded 1
transparency of Epic), to have the careful about reacting in a way
in 2011 and operates with over- 1
law changed to put oversight of that would hinder their ability to
sight provided by the Oklahoma 1
state virtual charter school boards provide services.
Statewide Virtual Charter School 1
under the Department of Educa-
Board. Epic Charter Schools 2
tion. ... We also asked for subpoe- “(However), it should be a
describes itself as a free pre-kin- 2
na power on various aspects to concern when we have allega-
dergarten through grade 12 option 3
compel a school, board member tions of students who are not ac-
for parents and students seeking a 3
or vendor to release information tually enrolling with the intention
nontraditional educational setting
that would be important. Those of staying and receiving student
utilizing internet-based, individu- 5
are two examples of laws that we services (financed with) dollars
alized self-paced instruction.
sought to change … and we will earmarked for the education of
Hofmeister said a “three-year 7
continue to ask for that.” students in public schools,” Hof-
look back” was requested of previ- 9
Hofmeister said the Depart- meister said. “That’s important
ous audits, including federal ones.
ment of Education will remain to get to the bottom of, and the
“We will rely on the state 1
in contact with the OSBI and investigative authorities will have
auditor to determine whether to
offer assistance to investigative the authority to do that.”
request additional years, but that
is a start. It’s a number of years
(worth) that they can turn around
relatively quickly,” she said.
Additionally, the superinten-
dent said the Oklahoma Legisla- ‡3ULQWLQJ2IÀFH6XSSOLHV ‡)D[HV‡
ture has been asked to review state
laws pertaining to online charter &ORALLYOUROFlCESUPPLYANDDO
schools and their accountability
for public funding. Action may be
needed to allow the State Board
funding in fiscal year 2019. of Education more direct access 7EST-USKOGEE3T
Shelly Hickman, Epic’s assis- to enrollment records or even to

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.