Three others on the schools’ internal auditing team were terminated Nov. An investigative audit released in October 2020 found the school exceeded administrative spending by millions of dollars, and they have been ordered to return $11 million to the state. The school board in May cut ties with founders David Chaney and Ben Harris and their private for-profit management company, Epic Youth Services. Preliminary results from the internal investigation have not shown any evidence of the allegations made by (Stehno).” Epic is conducting an internal investigation, recusing any members accused. In a statement sent late Saturday, LeBarre wrote: “Epic takes any allegation received about personnel seriously. When reached by phone Saturday, Campbell referred questions to Epic’s new communications manager, Chelsi LeBarre. Ladd couldn’t be reached for comment Saturday.Įpic’s New Board Chair Founded a Charter School. Linda Ladd was hired to be the board’s internal auditor in 2020. ( See below)Īdditionally, Stehno’s letter claims that when the board’s internal auditor raised concerns about large, unapproved staff bonuses paid for with public funds, her position was threatened and she resigned. “They have been yelled at, berated, subject to profane comments and implied threats to their employment,” according to the letter. Several women, who are current and former employees, reported being harassed by board Chairman Paul Campbell, Stehno wrote. She implored authorities to investigate the school for a number of issues.Ī three-page letter of resignation written by Kathren Stehno details her concerns, which include harassment and intimidation of female employees creating “an often-hostile work environment.” She also cited what she called alarming data about students withdrawn for truancy and violations of the state’s Open Meetings Act. Consolidating two school districts, Epic One-onOne and Epic Blended Charter, which make up 60% and 40% of student enrollment.Epic’s Board Vice Chair Resigns, Asks for Investigation into Misconduct - Oklahoma Watch CloseĮpic Charter Schools’ newly appointed governing board was put in place to help the troubled online school come into compliance with state law.īut the board’s vice chair, so alarmed by what she’s seen and heard behind the scenes, resigned suddenly Wednesday, Oklahoma Watch has learned.Providing full transparency and accounting of the Learning Fund expenditures and balance. This action included hiring a new Deputy Superintendent of Finance Creating new checks and balances to strengthen internal controls and ensure fiduciary oversight by Epic’s new Board of Education.Establishing a new Board of Education comprised of business and civic leaders without any previous relationship to EYS management.Severing all ties with Epic Charter School’s former management, Epic Youth Services and its founders.It has been a long road, but on behalf of our Epic team and Board of Education, we are grateful for the patience and direction provided to us by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board and its leadership,” said Epic Superintendent Bart Banfield in a press release.Įpic Charter School says they have taken more than 50 corrective actions to ensure the schools compliance. “This is definitely a milestone moment in the history of Epic Charter School. The designation was voted on during the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board meeting. Epic Charter Schools leaders announced Tuesday that they have reached full compliance with Oklahoma’s Statewide Virtual Charter School Board of Education.
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