The Blanchard News

Sep
19

2019

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From the Desk of Dr. Jim Beckham

Superintendent of Blanchard Public Schools
Epic Conflicts of Interest
As noted in the news, Epic Virtual and Blended Charter Schools
continue to be investigated by the FBI, OSBI, and State Auditor
and Inspector, for embezzlement of state funds, racketeering, and
related crimes. The investigations may be hampered by potential
“conflicts of interest”, however, as acquired information has been
slow in coming, as those who could be implicated have a lot of
money to lose.
Those which may have a lot to lose if Epic owners are eventually
held accountable for Epic transgressions could be:
1) Brad Clark, the current legal counsel for the Oklahoma State
Department of Education (OSDE). Clark was the attorney for Ben
Harris and David Chaney, aka Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
Kid, in a lawsuit against the University of Central Oklahoma for
withdrawing its contract to be the sponsor of Epic in 2010. At that
time he was employed by the Bill Hickman Law Firm which
represented Butch and Sundance in 2010. Brad Clark’s wife, Tiffany,
is currently Epic’s Contract Compliance Clerk. Clark contributed
$700 to Joy Hofmeister’s re-election campaign in 2018. Does Clark
have a conflict of interest and a lot to lose if Epic players are
indicted? Remember, Brad Clark was the OSDE employee who
handed over Oklahoma teachers’ personal information to Epic, only
a few months ago.
In a July 12, 2019, Tulsa World article Brad Clark is quoted as
saying that, by law, blended learning charter schools (such as Epic’s
Blended Learning Center) “are subject to the same attendance
requirements as traditional charter schools”. On August 13, 2019,
in a correspondence to a State Senator, Clark contradicted his earlier
statement by saying “It appears that Epic-Rose State (BLC) has
adopted an attendance policy that parallels that which has been
adopted by Epic One on One Virtual as required pursuant to 70 OS
3-145.8.” However, the Contract for Epic Blended Charter-Rose
State College 2017-2022 requires compliance to 70 OS 3-136.
70 OS 3-136 (11) requires compliance to 70 OS 1-109: 180
Instructional Days or 1080 hours.
70 OS 1-109 requires compliance to 70 OS 1-111: 6 Hour school
day.
Mr. Clark’s apparent contradictions may be related to his conflict
of interests...
To be continued...

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 Weatherford Daily News
PAGE 6B WEATHERFORD DAILY NEWS, WEEKENDER, SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
Oklahoma coverage
Oklahoma City
Police in Oklahoma City
said a 28-year-old man was
fatally shot by officers after
he ran toward them with
a knife, Associated Press
reported this week.
Police Capt. Larry
Sep Withrow said Monday
Brian Dryer was fatally shot
shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday
21 on the city’s northwest side,
AP reported.
Police said officers
encountered Dryer wielding
2019 a knife and pacing back
and forth along a street.
Withrow said Dryer refused
the officers’ commands
Page to drop the knife and ran
toward them, AP reported.
Withrow said Sgt. Kevin
B006 Smith and Officer Jeffrey
Owen discharged their
weapons, striking Dryer.
Clip Neither of the officers was
resized injured in the incident, AP
reported.
26% Dryer was transported to
a local hospital where he
was pronounced dead. Both
officers have been placed
on paid administrative leave
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pending an investigation of
the shooting.
Yukon
Two students have been
arrested for what police said
were hoax threats on social
media to Yukon Public
Schools, Associated Press
reported this week.
Yukon Public Schools
Superintendent Jason
Simeroth and Police Chief
John Corn said at a news
conference Tuesday the
two Yukon students were
arrested earlier in the day
for making a terroristic
hoax threat discovered
Monday, AP reported.
Simeroth and Corn
declined to provide
additional information
about the students, AP
reported.
Simeroth said the threats
“involved gun violence.”
Corn said the two students
did not have ready access to
any weapons, AP reported.
Classes in the district
of nearly 9,000 students
were cancelled Tuesday.
Simeroth said classes
resumed Wednesday, AP
reported.
The superintendent
said the threats were first
reported to school officials
anonymously through a tip
line, AP reported.
Oklahoma City
New criminal justice
guidelines will likely make
hundreds of Oklahoma
inmates eligible for
accelerated release from
prison, according to the
executive director of the
state Pardon and Parole
Board and the Associated
Press this week.
The board’s staff
is working with the
Department of Corrections
to ensure a single-stage
commutation docket
mandated by a new law
will be implemented
with “excellence” and
“urgency,” Executive
Director Steven Bickley
told the board Monday and
AP reported.
A statewide referendum
adopted in 2016 made
simple drug possession a
misdemeanor and increased
the threshold for felony
property crimes from $500
to $1,000. Legislation
signed into law by Gov.
Kevin Stitt this year makes
its provisions retroactive,
AP reported.
State pardon and parole
officials say the new law
could make hundreds of
inmates eligible for an
accelerated commutation
process when it takes
effect November 1, the
Oklahoman and AP
reported.
Tulsa
The U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers has proposed
a $160-million plan to
shore up levees around
Oklahoma’s second
largest city that have been
weakened by periodic
flooding, Associated Press
reported this week.
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The corps released a
feasibility study Monday
that recommends altering
existing levees and
rebuilding pump stations to
protect lives and property
served by the 75-year-old
Tulsa-West Tulsa Levee
System, AP reported.
The corps is required
to complete a study of
U.S. levees by September
2020, but city and state
officials wanted the study
expedited after hundreds of
homes and business were
inundated during historic
flooding along the Arkansas
River which extended into
neighboring Arkansas, AP
reported.
Engineers said floods
made Tulsa’s levees less
effective. State officials said
while they held back water
for weeks during the spring,
a breach would have caused
catastrophic flooding, AP
reported.
McAlester
Authorities have arrested
an 18-year-old Oklahoma
woman accused of
threatening to carry out a
mass shooting at her old
high school, Associated
Press reported this week.
Pittsburg County Sheriff
Chris Morris said Alexis
Wilson, of McAlester, was
arrested Monday after a
co-worker told investigators
Wilson had said she wanted
to shoot 400 people at
McAlester High School and
investigators viewed video
of Wilson firing an AK-47,
AP reported.
Authorities said Wilson
was expelled from the
high school after violent
incidents and that she had
been suspended on separate
occasions after being
caught with a knife and a
swastika at school. She was
not allowed to re-enroll, AP
reported.
Jail records indicate
Wilson is in custody but
do not show if she has an
attorney. Morris said he
FORD • LINCOLN
did not know if she has a
lawyer, AP reported.
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Department
of Corrections officials
said Wednesday numerous
weapons, cellphones and
drugs have been found by
investigators following
a series of apparently
coordinated fights at six
state prisons which left one
inmate dead, dozens injured
and prisons statewide
locked down, Associated
Press reported this week.
“A lot of shanks, broken
broom handles, broken
faucets, faucet heads having
a cord attached to them,”
according to department
spokesman Matt Elliott.
“The types of weapons
inmates typically use and
fight with.”
Bobby Cleveland,
director of the Oklahoma
Corrections Professionals,
an association for prison
employees, said the fights
had “to be a coordinated
effort,” noting they
included minimum security
lock-ups, AP reported.
Tulsa
Oklahoma largest virtual
charter school is demanding
a state lawmaker stop
making what it calls “false,
destructive, defamatory and
baseless allegations” about
the school, Associated
Press reported.
A letter from Oklahoma
City-based Epic Charter
Schools’ attorneys to
Republican State Sen.
Ron Sharp said Sharp has
seven days to “cease and
desist” comments about the
school and retract precious
statements or face legal
action, according to AP.
The Oklahoma State
Bureau of Investigation
is investigating Epic
founders David Chaney and
Ben Harris for allegedly
embezzling more than $10
million state dollars by
illegally inflating student
enrollment numbers in
order to receive additional
state funding between 2013
and 2018, AP reporting
Sharp said it is
“troubling” a school
receiving public funding
doesn’t understand it is
subject to public scrutiny,
AP reported.
Oklahoma City
An Oklahoma County
district judge has been
indicted on four counts of
failing to file state income
tax returns, Associated
Press reported.
Court record indicated the
misdemeanor charges were
filed Tuesday against 43-
year-old Kendra Coleman
of Oklahoma City,
according to AP.
Oklahoma’s multi-
county grand jury accused
Coleman of not filing
income tax returns between
2015 and 2018. Each count
is punishable by up to one
year in the county jail and a
$5,000 fine. Court records
do not indicate if Coleman
is represented by an
attourney who could speak
on her behalf, according to
AP.
Cole was elected to her
district judge’s seat in
November. Oklahoma
County District Attourney
David Prater has accused
the judge of failing to
disclose all of her campaign
donors and has asked
her to step down from all
criminal cases his office is
prosecuting, AP reported.
Enid
Authorities said the victim
of a violent home invasion
in Northern Oklahoma
has died, Associated Press
reported.
Police said Saturday 41-
year-old Diana Aide Baez
died at an Oklahoma City-
area hospital where she was
being treated for injuries
suffered during the violent
attack in Enid, AP reported.
Authorities said the home
invasion occurred about
2:45 a.m. Wednesday.
When officers arrived,
they found several children
inside the home and their
mother suffering from
life-threatening injuries, AP
reported.
The children told police
two masked men forced
their way into their home,
attacked Baez and fled.
They were described as
wearing long-sleeved shirts
and gloves, according to
AP.
Statewide
The Oklahoma
Corporation Commission
has reached an agreement
with the state’s largest
electrical utility which
avoids a rate increase for
its 800,000 customers in
the state, Associated Press
reported.
The three-member
commission said Thursday
the agreement settles a
$77.6 million rate increase
request filed by Oklahoma
Gas & Electric Co. in
December with no rate
increase, AP reported.
The utility said it needed
to raise rates to pay for
environmental compliance
investments, depreciation
on aging equipment and
other needs. The request
was opposed by Attorney
General Mike Hunter and
various consumer groups
who said higher rates were
not justified, according to
AP.
Commissioners said
the agreement allows the
utility to recover about
$600 million in capital
improvement costs while
keeping rates low, AP
reported.
OG&E spokesman Brian
Alford said the utility is
glad to have the “decades-
long process” behind it, AP
reported.
 El Reno Tribune

Five things to know about virtual school funding

By JENNIFER PALMER would have made
Oklahoma Watch Oklahoma’s virtual
Oklahoma school funding based
Sep lawmakers have
133 million reasons
on course completion,
but it didn’t pass.
22 to examine virtual
charter school
Sharp, who is a
frequent critic of
funding. That is Epic, has indicated he
the number of state would pursue it again
2019 taxpayer dollars
expected to flow to the
in 2020.
Kiger said he
state’s five statewide would like to address
online schools for the students leaving
Page current school year. virtual schools
The largest after Oct. 1 through
A003 of those schools, legislation.
Epic Charter Schools, Sharp and Kiger
Clip is under investigation are former educators.
by the Oklahoma There’s no
resized State Bureau of consensus over the A different report,
33% Investigation for “actual cost” of however, found virtual
alleged financial virtual schooling schools should cost
mismanagement and When it comes to at least 24 percent less
is facing a forensic As part of its marketing campaigns, Epic Charter Schools sponsored a play area at Penn virtual schools, some than brick-and-mortar
audit by the State Square Mall earlier this year. (Courtesy photo/Mashiur Rahaman, Oklahoma Watch) costs are higher, some schools. That report,
Auditor and Inspector. are lower, and others by the Education
The school’s its needs and the Spiro Public Schools, Lawmakers are are just different, said Commission of the
spending on a recent difference is provided who talked about two likely to propose Rebecca Wilkinson, States, found virtual
ad campaign also has by the state. For students who enrolled changes in 2020. executive director of school enrollment is
ruffled a few feathers. charter schools, in Spiro on Oct. 3 Kiger said the the Statewide Virtual too unpredictable —
The state House the full amount is last year. One had purpose of the study Charter School Board. because of unlimited
Common Education provided by the state. been enrolled in was to look at whether Technology expenses size and enrollment
Committee held a “When districts virtual school since virtual schools should and travel, for capacity — to be
study Wednesday have property taxes the previous May, the be funded through instance, are likely funded through
looking at the “real go up, it results in less other since June, but a separate formula, higher, but there’s traditional school
cost per student” state aid,” Hime said. the virtual school had and if so, what that typically no food or finance models.
for virtual students “Charters don’t have no grades to report for would look like. An transportation costs Some lawmakers see
compared to those chargeables the students. example given during and building costs are signs virtual schools
traditional brick-and- (of local revenue), “If you keep a the session was a less. receive too much
mortar schools. so it appears out of student on record performance-based She pointed Epic’s spending has
Rep. Lundy Kiger, balance,” but is just until Oct. 1, you get model, such as in to a 2015 study by raised eyebrows for
R-Poteau, said he was the way the formula the financial aid Florida, where the International years for various
particularly concerned equalizes funding. for them,” said virtual schools receive Association for K-12 reasons: Its for-profit
about Epic’s spending Funding is based on Spiro Superintendent state funding for Online Learning, management company
on referral bonuses a point-in-time Richard Haynes. students only if they which found the takes an automatic
for teachers and student head count, Epic has denied successfully complete cost of a full-time 10 percent cut of
students, marketing even in virtual manipulating or the course. online school is revenue; it offers each
and advertising. schools gaming the timing Sen. Ron Sharp, between 93 percent student a “learning
“I totally support Because of the of enrollment or R-Shawnee, proposed and 98 percent of a
any kind of education easy access to virtual withdrawing students. a bill last session that traditional school. Turn to CHARTER, Page 4A
that’s going to be schools, there are
effective,” Kiger said. more students coming * A Sponsored Feature

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

“I want them (virtual and going than in
schools) to be fully traditional schools.
equipped, I just don’t Epic allows year-
want state taxpayer round enrollment and
dollars to be wasted.” has one of the highest
Here are five things rates of part-year
with Jim Daly
to know about virtual students in the state. PRIORITIZING even the smallest changes --
charter funding. In June 2018,
COMMITMENTS CAN just taking life one day or one
Virtual charter more than half of its breath at a time -- can keep you
schools receive most students were enrolled HELP FIND BALANCE
Q: I fill a lot of important moving forward.
of their funding part-year. But like all
roles: husband, father, For more tips to help
from the state schools, they receive
As a whole, school funding based on an breadwinner, business owner, your family thrive, visit
funding in Oklahoma Oct. 1 head count. church leader, youth sports FocusOnTheFamily.com.
comes from local and Kiger said he’s
coach, etc. But I usually feel Q: I want to help my
state revenue at about concerned that children learn that their actions
45 percent each, with method is allowing like I'm running behind, and
I guess I vent my stress on my make a statement about their
federal funds kicking “gaming the system.” character. Do you have any
in another 10 percent He and the rest of the family sometimes. How can I
for certain student education committee find a better life balance? suggestions?
populations. But on Wednesday Jim: People are busier than Danny Huerta, Vice
because charter heard from the ever these days. With family President, Parenting and Youth: -- You can't get by without
schools are excluded superintendent of
responsibilities, work pressures Each of our actions suggests video games.
from receiving local something about our values -- School is a miserable place
tax dollars, nearly and volunteer opportunities,
and motives. This goes for for you.
all charters funding
comes from state
ELEVATE the list can be endless.
There's a famous quote parents as well as kids, so what -- Winning is what gives you

YOUR
dollars. often attributed to Samuel L. we model speaks louder than value.
That doesn’t Clemens, better known by what we say. -- Wearing certain clothes is
necessarily mean Many of our behaviors can critical to finding love.
charters receive
fewer dollars,
TAILGATE his pen name of Mark Twain:
"The secret of getting ahead is be interpreted in light of "I'm -- Having a boyfriend or
getting started. The secret of acting as if " statements. For girlfriend seems like a "need" to
PARTY PANS
said Shawn Hime,
executive director getting started is breaking your example, being impatient with you.
of the Oklahoma complex overwhelming tasks your children can translate Parents can follow up on
State School Boards
Association. The state
To Go into small manageable tasks,
and starting on the first one." I
into "I'm acting as if my kids
are a nuisance to me." Working
these statements by asking "Am
I on target or not? Why?"
funding formula is SLIDERS, MEATBALLS, don't know if Clemens actually insanely long hours might This exercise is a tool to
meant to equalize
funding, so local tax SPINACH DIP, said that, but it's a good equal "I'm acting as if rest and get the conversation pointed
renewal are unimportant for inward rather than getting
dollars are subtracted FONDUE, & MORE! principle. When things start to
me and my family." stuck on outward behaviors.
from the amount a www.primosok.com/party-pan get overwhelming, sometimes
school is assigned for But there are positive "I'm It's also designed to focus
405-350-9090 it helps to just address one
24 Hour notice appreciated person or thing at a time -- acting as if " messages, too. your efforts on understanding,

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 El Reno Tribune

Sep
22

2019

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education dollars on But Epic’s recent

Charter lessons and hobbies; it media campaign
holds a back-to-school involving TV
From Page 3A event that reserves commercials and
an entire amusement other ad buys has
fund” that allows park for students and hit a nerve with
them to spend parents for a day. many residents and
lawmakers, including
State Superintendent
PUMPKINS FOR Joy Hofmeister, who
has said she doesn’t
BLESSING BASKETS! like it. Epic has said
as an online charter
1/2 of all pumpkin sales donated to Blessing Baskets! school, it needs to
market its program
to families who
want alternatives to
traditional district
schools.
Rep. Sheila Dills,
R-Tulsa, on
Wednesday questioned
Wilkinson, whose
agency authorizes all
of the state’s virtual
schools, about the
spending.
“If virtuals can
spend so much on
PLUS MUMS & PANSIES marketing, do you
believe they receive
for your Fall Decorating! too much?” she asked.
Thurs. & Fri. 12-6pm • Sat. & Sun. 10am - 3pm Wilkinson replied
that she doesn’t know
that the spending was
Stop by our illegal, then added:
new location! “It is something this
committee should be
1615 E. Hwy 66 asking.”
405-262-1112

orig.pdf 1 23-Sep-19 19:53:09

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 Tahlequah Daily Press

EPIC offers free mental

Sep
22
health for students, staff
2019 OKLAHOMA CITY first line of defense when
Page – Every student at EPIC it comes to spotting and
A08
Clip
Charter Schools will have addressing the warning
resized
100%
access to mental health signs of self-harm,” Ban-
counseling due to a part- field said. “National Sui-
nership between EPIC cide Prevention Aware-
and YouthCare of Okla- ness Month is an down
homa and YCO Alliance. on our efforts to end
The initiative, which the stigma surrounding
includes free counseling open and honest dis-
for EPIC students, was cussions about the state
announced in recogni- of mental health of our
tion of National Suicide students and all Oklaho-
Prevention Awareness mans.”
Month. EPIC faculty and According to the most
staff will continue to have recent data (2017) from
access to free counseling the Centers for Disease
sessions from Chance to Control and Prevention,
Change, an Oklahoma suicide ranked as the
City-based mental health eighth-leading cause of
and substance abuse death in Oklahoma. The
counseling nonprofit.. state has the 15th highest
EPIC Superintendent suicide rate among the
Bart Banfield said the 50 states.
time has come to end the Nationally, in the
stigma on the discussion same year, according to
of mental health issues, the American Founda-
especially in the state’s tion for Suicide Preven-
school systems. tion, 7.4 percent of youth
“As educators, we, in grades 9-12 reported at
along with parents and least one suicide attempt
families, are often the in the past 12 months.
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