by David Safier

An anecdote is not proof of anything. But this story about a California charter school operator and an Arizona charter school is a damning cautionary tale about the abuses, financial and physical, that are possible when already lax charter school laws are minimally enforced.

First I'll tell the story in encapsulated, short-blog-post fashion. Then, if you wish, you can follow the link and read the entire sordid tale. I usually wouldn't say this, but with this story, it's worth your time to click on the link and read the whole story.

Here's the short version.

C. Steven Cox created California Charter Academy in 1999. In a few years, he was running a string of schools all over  California. In 2003 he created his only charter school in Arizona, Morningstar Academy, in Apache Junction.

In 2004, Cox was accused of skimming millions of dollars from his California charters into private companies he created for that purpose. His mismanaged and underfunded schools (teachers were underpaid and had too many students, classrooms lacked the necessary materials) collapsed under their own weight, leaving thousands of students to be absorbed by public schools and who knows how many teachers out of work.

The Arizona Charter School Board appeared to be unconcerned that one of its schools was being run by someone who had bled his California schools dry. Morningstar Academy continued to run without any serious investigation of the school's financial or educational practices.

In early 2005, a male Morningstar teacher was accused of molesting female students. His mother was principal. When a 15 year old girl complained to the principal/mother about her teacher/son, the principal accused the girl of lying and told her not to repeat the allegations.

After the girl went to the police a few months later and other girls complained about similar instances of abuse, the teacher was indicted on 22 counts, and his mother the Principal was charged with failing to report child abuse. She entered a no contest plea and was given probation, a suspended sentence and a $2,500 fine. Yet she continued as the school principal for at least two more years. The Department of Education said their hands were tied because she didn't have a teaching certificate (her son had no certificate either). Cox saw no reason to fire her.

In 2007, Cox was indicted in California on 112 counts of misappropriation of funds and grand theft. Only then did the Arizona Charter School Board take an active interest in the matter. FInally, in June, 2008, Morningstar Academy closed its doors.

The behavior of Cox, the principal and the teacher are appalling. But for me the most unforgivable thing is that the Arizona Department of Education and the Charter School Board failed to do everything in their power to protect the children attending Morningside Academy. I would call it criminal neglect on their part, except in the world of charter schools, it's all perfectly legal. And that's a crime.

Read the longer version by clicking on the link below.