State Investigating The Classical Academy

By Tak Landrockt.landrock@krdo.com

TCA responds to CDE Investigation:

“TCA looks forward to working with our Colorado Dept of Education to address parental concerns. We’re also currently working with other community organizations to review our procedures. We strive to continually seek ways to better serve our students and parents.”

Mark Hyatt, President, TCA

COLORADO SPRINGS -The Colorado Department of Education is now asking questions 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 schools administration.

The letter from the C.D.E should have reached school officials on Friday afternoon.

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.

The Department of Education is now asking D-20 to look into the claims TCA parents raise. It also wants a written summery of the investigation by the end of April. If any problems are found, the Department of Education is requesting a written plan on how the district and charter school plan to fix the problems.

NEWSCHANNEL 13 did try to contact Mark Hyatt, the President of the Charter School, but did not get a response back. D-20 spokesperson Nanette Anderson tells NEWSCHANNEL 13,” CDE does state its intent to investigate those allegations. Our district has just begun to review the scope of the CDE investigation.”

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