State Department Of Education Releases Investigative Report Of Epic Charter Schools

The Oklahoma Condition Department of Schooling will release the results of its investigation into Epic Charter Educational institutions following a previous board member alleged intimidation and harassment taking place inside of the administration. 

Point out Superintendent Joy Hofmeister and other OSDE officers will current the results at 2 p.m. Tuesday. 

The division released the investigation in December not “allegations of fraud, suppression of fraud, intimidation and harassment in the workplace, as properly as alleged violations of the Open Conferences Act,” according to a see of grievance OSDE sent to Epic Constitution Universities Superintendent Bart Banfield.   

Relevant: OSDE Investigates Issues Versus Epic Constitution Universities

Former board member Kathryn Stehno informed the OSDE that numerous staff members complained to her about alleged intimidation and harassment by Paul Campbell, the chair of Epic’s board. 

Under is an excerpt of Stehno’s resignation letter.

“According to these gals, they have been yelled at, berated, topic to profane feedback and implied threats to their employment. All explained an often-hostile function natural environment. These females expressed fear of retaliation in earning their grievances community, in particular given that they indicate Superintendent Banfield was well mindful and perhaps also complicit.” 

News 9 contacted Campbell and Epic Constitution Educational institutions Tuesday morning for remark. 

A 2020 audit by the Oklahoma Auditor & Inspector, Cindy Byrd, observed tens of millions in public funding despatched to Epic were being in the long run expended on the school’s California department, and that the university exceeded the administrative expense cap. As a end result of the audit, the condition has withheld $20 million from Epic Constitution Colleges, in accordance to Byrd’s place of work.

Related: Oklahoma To Withhold $9.1 Million From Epic Charter Educational institutions For Poor Spending

Byrd’s workplace explained Tuesday it is nonetheless auditing the Student Discovering Fund, which is managed by Epic’s father or mother company: Community Procedures Inc. The fund has obtained $145 million in taxpayer pounds due to the fact 2015. 

This posting will be up-to-date. Information 9’s Barry Mangold will have additional tonight on News 9 at 5 p.m. and Information On 6 at 6 p.m.