On Monday, McQueen acknowledged that mistakes were made, but said the nearly 600 Black and Hispanic children in grades K-8 the school serves will be harmed if the school is closed. “So, we have a financial statewide obligation that could impact us if we are not vigilant.” “If we are in violation of not ensuring that a school or a district is providing a free and appropriate public education, then our federal dollars can be delayed, they can be reduced, they can be pulled back,” Thomas said. Sherry Thomas, director of the Exceptional Children’s Division at the State Department of Public Instruction, told the CSAB last month that the federal money must be used as intended. The grant provides federal funding to ensure free and appropriate education is provided to students with special needs at no cost to parents. Torchlight is also being scrutinized for its handling and reporting of grant funds received under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Generally, educators must meet with parents and submit new data before IEP changes are made. IEP’s are required to ensure students with disabilities receive specialized instruction and related services. The questionable record changes made by Andrews had the effect of making old student IEP’s look like new ones. She reportedly remains employed by the school as a special education teacher. Some Charter Board members contend Andrews was not qualified to hold the management-level position for which she was reportedly paid $65,000 a year. Torchlight’s Exceptional Children program was under the leadership of McQueen’s daughter, Shawntrice Andrews when the violations occurred. An IEP ensures students with disabilities receive specialized instruction and related services. McQueen has been dogged by claims that students’ Individualized Education Program (IEPs) documents were altered in a student data management system monitored by the state. Three Rivers Academy, a Bertie County charter school managed by McQueen, has been ordered closed by the SBE because of fiscal and operational shortcomings. Raleigh businessman Don McQueen operates the for-profit education management organization (EMO) that manages Torchlight Academy.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |