Jennifer Palmer’s investigation into the Epic Charter Schools began in 2016. Her reporting shined a spotlight on the school’s leaders, who are now charged with embezzlement. Jennifer continues to follow this story as the trial unfolds. Read all of her stories related to Epic Charter Schools below.
Preliminary Hearing Continues for Epic Charter Schools Founders
Oklahoma Watch is covering the week-long hearing in the embezzlement case against David Chaney and Ben Harris, who created Epic Charter Schools. Check this post for daily updates from the…
AG to Lay Out Evidence in Epic’s Multi-Million Dollar Embezzlement Case
A hearing in the embezzlement case against Epic Charter Schools founders David Chaney and Ben Harris begins Monday in the Oklahoma County District Court. Their former chief financial officer is…
All States Lost Ground on Nation’s Report Card. Oklahoma Slipped More Than Most
The data offers the clearest picture yet of academic setbacks incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal officials cautioned against drawing direct correlations with remote learning.
Epic Co-Founders, Former CFO Arrested on Embezzlement, Racketeering Charges
A 52-page affidavit details a complicated, criminal enterprise devised by Epic Charter Schools’ co-founders David Chaney and Ben Harris, and former CFO Josh Brock. The three were arrested and booked…
Enrollment Irregularities, Unapproved Bonuses: the Latest Epic Charter Investigation
The latest probe found serious problems, including student attendance patterns that skirted state law; large, unapproved bonuses for staff and violations of laws on competitive bidding requirements.
Oklahoma State Auditor Q&A: ‘I Believe People Own the Government’
Since taking office, Cindy Byrd has handled some political footballs with audits of the state’s largest virtual charter school and the state Health Department.
IRS Investigating Epic Charter Schools Finances
The IRS is probing Epic Charter School’s finances, as the fallout from a scathing investigative audit continues.
Oklahoma Public School Enrollment: New Data Shows Where Students Returned
Public school enrollment increased statewide by more than 4,500 students, but has not yet returned to pre pandemic numbers.
Inside A Potentially One-Sided Race for State Superintendent
Public education advocate Erika Wright has been a Democrat and a Republican, and, until recently, an Independent. She made another switch last week — to Republican — specifically to vote…
Epic’s Board Vice Chair Resigns, Asks for Investigation into Misconduct
Kathren Stehno’s concerns include harassment and intimidation of female employees creating “an often-hostile work environment.”
How Schools’ Efforts to Collect Community Input on Spending Federal Dollars Fall Short
School districts were required to collect stakeholder feedback on plans to spend federal COVID-19 relief funds. In some cases, evidence shows they didn’t try hard.
Masked, Vaccinated and COVID-19 Positive: Why Some Teachers Say This Year’s Precautions Are Still Not Enough
Even teachers who took the personal responsibility of getting vaccinated and wearing a mask are contracting coronavirus and getting sick.
Epic’s New Board Chair Founded a Charter School. Its Start Has Been Rocky
Epic Charter Schools’ governing board has undergone a complete overhaul. The new chairman founded the state’s first rural charter school.
Grand Jury: Epic Charter School ‘system ripe for fraud’
The report cited Epic’s lack of transparency, intentional avoidance of disclosure by its for-profit management company and a lack of cooperation as a difficulty in completing the investigation.
Settlement Gives Epic Charter Schools Fresh Start on Shrouded Learning Fund
Epic’s board agreed to settlement terms with the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, likely resolving a contract dispute that threatened to close one of Epic’s charter school systems. Left unresolved…
How Epic Seeks to Resolve Contract Dispute with Statewide Virtual Charter School Board
Five takeaways from Epic Charter School’s proposed settlement.
A Closer Look at Oklahoma’s Move to Alter Education Funding and Make Student Transfers Easier
Facing intense opposition, Gov. Still approves measures to alter public school funding and students’ ability to transfer freely.
How the State Board Abruptly Settled Charter School Lawsuit Against Legal Advice
State Education Superintendent Joy Hofmeister called it “an impatient move to get what you want.”
Gauging A Plan To Alter Education Funding in Oklahoma
The bill could be heard by a Senate committee as early as this week. If the measure is passed by the Senate, Gov. Kevin Stitt will almost certainly sign it…
Five Education Bills to Watch This Session
It’s been a disruptive and uncertain year for public education. And the initiatives to be considered by the Oklahoma Legislature could continue to shake things up.
Superintendent Joy Hofmeister Didn’t Want To Know About Federal Epic Investigation, Records Show
Because Epic’s founders had supported her campaign for state superintendent, Hofmeister didn’t want to know details of a federal investigation into the charter school, according to records released last week.…
Stitt’s New Board of Education Pick Spread Misinformation, Conspiracy Theories
Melissa Crabtree’s now-deleted or hidden Facebook posts included unsubstantiated medical advice and misinformation surrounding the pandemic.
Epic Charter Schools Settles Teachers’ 2019 Legal Claims
The teachers said Epic administrators pressured them to withdraw students based on the students’ academic aptitude.
Rose State Considers Another Charter School as its Oversight Ability is Questioned
It could be the first private school turned public charter in Oklahoma.
In Oklahoma, Epic’s Operator Refuses to Release Spending Records. In California, Records Are Public
The company that manages Epic Charter Schools in Oklahoma refuses to provide state auditors details about how it spends millions of dollars provided by the state on students’ extra activities.…
Virtual Charter School Board to Join Legal Fight for Epic’s Spending Records
With a 4-0 vote, the agency overseeing the state’s virtual schools decides to join the legal battle to pry free some of Epic Charter Schools’ financial records.
Panola District Shutters High School As Epic Ends Management Contract
After three years, Epic Charter Schools has ended its management of the struggling school district in southeastern Oklahoma, capping a bold effort to introduce its blended education model to rural…
State Takes Epic’s Management Firm to Court for Refusing to Provide Records
Epic Charter Schools’ for-profit management company has refused to provide its financial records to the state auditor’s office, which has now asked a judge to intervene.
Largest Virtual School’s Growth Outpaces Rest of State’s Schools Combined
Epic Charter Schools posted a dramatic growth of more than 4,000 students over last year, reaching more than 13,000 enrollment. The virtual charter school is drawing students away from traditional…
The Risks of Breakneck Growth at State’s Largest Virtual School
Epic Charter Schools is growing at lightning speed, which its leaders say is proof of its effectiveness. But the trend has raised questions about student turnover and evokes national concerns…