“Insiders benefiting in charter deals, Board members, school officials did more than $70mil in business.” The Arizona
Republic, 11/17/2012
... Basis Inc. charter schools are nationally recognized for their rigorous curriculum.The schools are the brainchild of Michael and Olga Block, who envisioned a college-prep curriculum that would rival the best countries. The first school opened in 1998 in Tucson. A second followed in 2003 in Scottsdale.For years, the Blocks worked for and were paid by the non-profit schools. Michael was the chief operating officer and treasurer, Olga the chief executive officer.The Blocks later formed a separate, for-profit company and in 2009 signed a service agreement with the non-profit that provides Basis’ six schools with most everything they need to operate: school directors, teachers, accounting, technology, human resources, public relations and Michael and Olga Block...Basis Inc. denied a request from The Arizona Republic to review a copy of its agreement with the Blocks’ company.The state also is limited in what it can find out about management companies. The state charter board can audit only the charter school, not the private company hired to run the school’s operations...A few of the Blocks’ relatives also received money for work performed for the schools, including a relative who performed accounting services for the schools in the Czech Republic, as recently as fiscal 2009.The tax returns no longer include these details because the Blocks work for the privately held company, not the non-profit. Michael Block said the company is a private business and declined to discuss salaries or whether family members are performing work for the schools...
6 comments:
BASIS DC needs to be closed. They are a racist school and have ruined the lifes of many kids.
"As the school has been open for less than a year, there is no performance data on the school. There is, however, some troubling early data that leads staff to recommend not increasing the school’s enrollment ceiling at this time. This includes high levels of mid-year withdrawals and low levels of special education students. The school has also been non-compliant in responding to certain PCSB data requests, including a City Council request for salary information." DC Public Charter School Board April 2013
http://charteringquality.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2012-2013_Increase_Enrollment_Ceiling_-Basis_PCS_04_05_13_nrd_nls_sdpII.pdf
Re April 6th comment - A racist school? Who, the kids or the staff, I've found both populations to be racially and economically diverse.
Re May 24th comment - I see the comments the Board made but I thought DC Charter Board has a policy that no first year school can add seats?
BASIS SA has issues!!
Issues? One teacher changed his text realizing it was too hard. One teacher teaches 6th grade from a college level text. Spanish for beginners - hell no! Try declensions and gerunds first year.
As a previous Basis Goodyear parent, I found my three children over stressed and pressured with their curriculum. The atmosphere also creates a competitive atmosphere between parents. Whisper of internal fighting among teacher/staffs playing tic for tac power struggle with parents. Now that our children are in a better space and school, we can now enjoy our family time!
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