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Dr. Tucker reported that there are still concerns regarding the school’s
governance board. The EWCS needs board training without which the members
of that board would not have the expertise to govern the school. Questions
remain regarding the legitimacy of the board in regards to members that
are listed as present at meetings who may have not have attended.
Confirmation of this was made by calling members that were listed as board
members but indicated that they had resigned prior to the meeting(s) in
question.
Mr. Paul LeSieur updated the Committee regarding the school’s
responses to concerns raised by DPI that are associated with the school’s
financial and student information records
Mr. LeSieur’s report covered the following areas of concern:
1. American Express Card Costco billing statement - Credit card
receipts were provided but information pertaining to the nature of
those charges were not provided;
2. Evidence of dual food service billing as receipts show that food
was purchased with the American Express Costco card but the food
service program is contracted through Pitts Memorial;
3. Records show that individuals were paid bonuses out of the ABCs
Incentive funds that were not eligible to receive these funds and that
teachers who were eligible to receive funds were not paid the full
amount of the bonus;
4. Failure to maintain proper records – East Winston Charter
School identified the summer program at the schools as a summer school
program when in fact it is a summer camp which is a separate and
distinct entity from the charter school;
5. Pre-K students in self-contained classes were noted as enrolled
in kindergarten classes;
6. Inflation of ADM numbers due to the SIMS data that showed 12
students were dual enrolled
7. Private self-contained fifth grade teacher was paid using class
size reduction funds
8. Failure to maintain separate and distinct records between the
charter schools and the private Pre-K and 5th Grade program’
9. SIMS databases questionable as the legitimacy of each as the
school maintained multiple files;
10. Payment of bonuses to three personnel for duties not specified
in their contracts and without any indication that this was a board
approved action as reflected in the minutes; and
11. The legitimacy of the Executive Director’s 12-month contract
that was signed by the previous board chair.
Mr. LeSieur noted that the department would be taking audit exceptions
which current totals $105,000.00. If the school justifies the use of the
funds, a reduction in the exception can be made.
Inquiry was made as to whether the $105,000.00 includes justifications
of expenditures that have already been presented and accepted by the
agency. The current figure does not include any justifications that were
presented; rather it shows what is currently outstanding with further
research to take place.
The State will continue to review the records to make a final
assessment of the amount of funds the school will have to payback. The
school is currently on disciplinary financial noncompliance status and
will remain at this status until a full investigation takes place and
until a full and appropriate response to all inquiries has been submitted
to DPI.
The responses the school submitted on July 17, 2003 needed additional
clarification. East Winston Primary School will be informed that the
responses were not sufficient and will be given more time to respond.
Committee members also inquired about the options for consideration.
Dr. Tucker presented the following options for the Committee’s
consideration:
1. revocation of the charter
2. recommendation for new leadership
3. board oversight
4. current board members resign due to conflict of interest or
other circumstances that may impede their ability to govern as per the
Charter.
Chairman Fedewa noted that this is not an effort to get involved in
personnel matters. However, the school has shown significant academic
gains and he would like to see the school saved if possible. He stated
that from his perspective the school has done quite well from an academic
standpoint and has exceeded expectations in some areas. The concerns are
with the leadership issues and financial issues.
Dr. Tony Cozart supports the Chairman’s desire to save the school but
added that he did not know if anything would be gained by prolonging the
inevitable. He mentioned that new leadership is needed and supports
recommending that someone is hired who will follow the guidelines.
Questions also were raised pertaining to the manner in which the school
representatives would have to repay the funds whether physically repay
them or a reduction in funds of the current year’s allotment. Mr.
LeSieur indicated that the board would have to repay the funds. If the
funds are not paid, the agency can then reduce the amount of funding by
the amount of the audit exception.
Dr. Fedewa explored the possibility of charging the office of charter
schools with having a mandated meeting with a reconfigured board and start
working on creating a process that would lead to developing a better
governance structure than what is in place. He reiterated that he does not
feel comfortable with getting involved in personnel matters. However, at
this point it appears as if there is not a board in place to address such
matters. Chairman Fedewa recommended that the chairperson of each of the
CSAC subcommittees meet with Dr. Tucker and the board of that school to
begin working on the process for setting up a meeting with the
reconfigured board.
Member Kate Alice Dunaway added that there is great concern among
former faculty and staff and people with real interest in the welfare of
the school. She recommended that a meeting take place with faculty, staff,
and community members who are interested in keeping the school in
operation to keep them updated as to the state of affairs with the school.
Member Simon Johnson noted that time is of the essence and whatever
actions are taken should be taken with much haste.
Chairman Fedewa requested that the record show that the Committee
recognizes the need to work with the school and that it is the intent of
the Committee to do everything possible to save the school.
Mr. Cozart offered one final observation, which is to punish
individuals and save the schools.
Chairman Fedewa noted that Dr. Tucker would meet with the Sub-Committee
chairpersons Kathryn Meyers, JoAnne Woodard, and Sandy Carmany to address
the next steps in working with the East Winston Board. |
