Ohio Meeting at National Charter School Conference - June 2022
For the first time in many years, Ohio had its state meeting at the same time other states were having theirs. The meeting, hosted by BCSB, thanks to funds and arrangements by Think Stretch and PSI, was a huge success. It was attended by many authorizers including Buckeye Hope, OCCS and ESC Lake Erie West, St. Al’s / Charter School Specialists; EMO’s, School Superintendents and Leaders, Board Members, and Professional Service Vendors to Ohio’s charter schools.
Rod Hale, President of BCSB Board welcomed the energetic crowd! Bruce Henson shared thoughts on the statewide association….(more on that to follow)!
Charter school attorney Amy Goodson, present at the Ohio meeting, commented: “The BCSB meeting at the national conference was a long overdue opportunity to connect with other Ohio charter school stakeholders. The networking and collaboration in just those few short hours demonstrated the great need for an Ohio organization.”
Enjoy the photos from the meeting!
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rod Hale, Chairman
Eric Fankhauser, Founding Member & Vice President
Gene Schuster, Secretary
Winford Dearing, Treasurer
Jackiethia Butsch
James George
FOUNDING MEMBER & ADMINISTRATOR
Sally Perz
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Financial Oversight –
Not to be Taken Lightly!
According to Dr. Brian Carpenter, the single most important board financial oversight practice is reviewing monthly financials beyond the income statement and balance sheet.
In citing fraudulent activities are a now closed charter school he points out that the income statement is income and expenses by category as entered by the person preparing it and does not show individual transactions. Carpenter urges board members to review the bank statements and credit card statements as “source documents” so you see every transaction at its source, not as one entered them into a statement for the board. Get the difference?Review…Verify...Question...Before Approving.
Additionally, the person who reconciles the monthly bank statement should NOT be the person who keeps the books!
Don’t allow ATM withdrawals, wire transfers or debit cards (unless used as purchase card only, not as debit card).
The board is to execute informed financial oversite not taking it lightly with automatic approval.
Dr. Carpenter’s newest book “Follow the Money” gives many practices for board members to use in preventing fraud which can take the school down. He’s the charter school expert!
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NATIONAL POLL
Education may become the single voter item in upcoming elections
A new Harris Poll commissioned by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools indicates that many parents could become single-issue voters on the topic of education.
It also found that 82% of parents say they “would be willing to vote outside their political party based on the candidate’s education platform.”
83% say education “has become a more important political issue” than it was in the past.
75% of parents say they would send their child to a public charter school if one was available in their area.
The full results the poll — which surveyed over 5,000 parents with children enrolled in K-12 schools — will be released later this summer.
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Indiana
Some Indiana schools are getting funding to help connect students with high-wage, high-demand careers. The Indiana DoE announced more than $57 million in Explore, Engage and Experience (3E) grants. The goal is to increase the number of students taking part in work-based learning and earning credentials while in high school by encouraging schools, nonprofits and other organizations to collaborate on plans for career pathways. Grants topped out at over &600,00. The parent company of 21st Century Charter School and Gary Middle College was awarded more than $250,000 to partner with Cooke Medical.
Virginia
Having difficulty increasing the number of charter schools in Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin included in his budget $100 million to open new “lab schools.” These are publicly funded K-12 schools founded by public universities, rather than school districts. That puts them in an “independent” status much like charter schools. New charter schools in Virginia require approval from the local school district, thus, very few ever get approved. Laying the foundation for “independent” schools is in keeping with Mr. Youngkin’s promise to grant more education options and control to parents. Universities and school boards are showing interest in these “lab schools” which many tag as one step closer to charter schools. The $100 million in the budget for “start-up capital” for at least five new schools, along with grants for entities planning to open them has created much attention and interest.
Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee has invited Hillsdale College to set up at least 50 privately operated charter schools across Tennessee. These would offer a classical education with a focus on patriotism.
Maine
Charter schools are significantly limited under current state law in Maine. The total number of charter schools allowed was capped at 10 indefinitely, a ceiling that was quickly reached. The two virtual charter schools, Maine’s Virtual Academy and Maine Connections Academy, are further restricted under state law such that they can have a combined enrollment of no more than 1,000 students. The number of students on a waitlist for these schools has doubled. State law imposed cap the biggest roadblock facing the expansion of school choice in Maine. Since 2011, when Maine first allowed charter schools, total enrollment has grown to upwards of 2,600 students. By October 2020, 562 students were on a waitlist, many of whom were in line for one of the virtual charter schools. Parents are pushing to get the cap lifted on both brick and mortar as well as virtual charter schools.
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BCSB's Annual Statewide Conference
October 27-28, 2022 | Columbus, OH
More info to come!
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This newsletter is underwritten by a generous grant from:
The Board of Trustees of the
Alternative Education Academy
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Increasing the Knowledge, Skills and Effectiveness
of Ohio's Charter School Boards
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