Classical Academy Investigation Delayed
By Tak Landrockt.landrock@krdo.com
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COLORADO SPRINGS – Parents who were anxiously awaiting the outcome of an investigation into The Classical Academy, a charter school in Academy District 20, will have to wait another week.
According to The Classical Academy’s attorney Eric Hall, D-20 is asking for more time to complete the investigation. Hall tells NEWSCHANNEL 13 it may be another week before the report is complete.
According to Mark Stevens with the Colorado Department of Education, a meeting is taking place this afternoon to determine how much time is needed.
The state asked for the investigation back in March, addressing about concerns parents have about The Classical Academy.
The Academy D-20 Charter School has been the center of controversy after a group of parents came forward to NEWSCHANNEL 13, alleging cover-ups by the school’s administration.
The two-page letter signed by Dr. Barbara Medina, Assistant Commissioner of Education, says that on February 27th, the CDE received a request from parents “concerning administration and board actions at The Classical Academy.”
The parent’s complaint asks the CDE to look into six general areas.
Failed to take appropriate corrective action in responding to and halting a pattern of racial and religious discrimination, sexual and physical assault, bullying of students and parents, drug and alcohol use, and threats against staff and students. Failed to acknowledge and halt a pattern of cover-ups and retaliation by TCA staff in response to complaints lodged by TCA students and parents. Failed to exercise appropriate oversight and show good faith when investigating reporter improprieties. Failed to eliminate conflict of interest. Failed to demonstrate financial transparency and implement adequate financial controls. Failed to demonstrate adequate accountability, maintain open records and provide the public with access to documents and information.
The letter also implies that Academy D-20 did nothing after early complaints, saying that nothing could be done.
In a letter to parents and staff on Thursday, both TCA President Mark Hyatt and Board President Matt Carpenter write:
In our continuing effort to provide communication to the TCA community, we wanted to give you an update on the release of the Colorado Department of Education report. As you may have seen in previous communications, we anticipated that the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) report would be released today. However, we have been informed by the CDE and D20 that the report will not be released today, and currently, the CDE has not provided us with a new date.
The decision to postpone the release of the report is no cause for alarm. The reviewer spent a tremendous amount of time conducting interviews with administration, board members, staff, faculty, parents and students as well as making on-campus observations in an effort to fully understand the scope of TCA. We believe the CDE report will be a thorough review of our policies; approaches, communications and environment, and we welcome the opportunity that the CDE wants to present the most thorough and complete report possible. We are not perfect; we expect there to be areas for improvement.
Let us assure you that once we receive the report, Matt and I, the entire Board of Directors, administrators and staff will review the plan and study it to fully understand the CDE’s findings and recommendations.
We are looking forward to the CDE’s insights. What we learn from the findings and recommendations within the report will drive the decisions that allow us to grow our effectiveness and our reputation for excellence. Remember, TCA is one of the most successful public schools in Colorado and among the most respected charter schools in the nation.
