Notice to Prime Prep Academy (Special Accreditation Investigation)
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Published by Jason Trahan
Today the Texas Education Agency launched an expanded investigation of Deion Sanders' embattled Prime Prep Academy, a taxpayer supported charter school. The TEA is investigating allegations of conflicts of interest, financial mismanagement, teacher qualifications and record keeping practices, among other things.
Today the Texas Education Agency launched an expanded investigation of Deion Sanders' embattled Prime Prep Academy, a taxpayer supported charter school. The TEA is investigating allegations of conflicts of interest, financial mismanagement, teacher qualifications and record keeping practices, among other things.
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Time Stamp: 12/11/2013 4:01 PM
Notice of Special Accreditation Investigation December 11, 2013
VIA EMAIL AND FAX
Subject:
Prime Prep Academy Charter School (220-818)
Financial Management Practice Governance Health, Safety, and Welfare of Students Board of Trustees and Ms. Sanders: This notice serves to notify the Prime Prep Academy of a Special Accreditation Investigation to be conducted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and amends the December 3, 2013 notice to include an onsite investigation. The Commissioner of Education has authorized this investigation in response to complaints and to answer specific questions about Prime Prep.
Allegations and Description of Complaints
Health, Safety, and Welfare of Students
The charter school may not have complied with criminal history record reviews.
Students may not be served proper meals in accordance with National School Lunch Program, a federally assisted meal program. Financial Management
Conflicts of interests may not be fully disclosed and part of the charter school and TEA records.
The charter school may have expended state funds for unallowable activities.
The governing board, management, and other personnel may not have processes in place to provide reasonable assurance regarding financial reporting and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Ms. Rachel King-Sanders, Superintendent Prime Prep Academy 4400 Panola Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76103 Mr. Chris Lewis, Board President Members of the Board of Trustees Prime Prep Academy P.O. Box 535426 Grand Prairie, TX 75053
tcl@tchrislaw.com rsanders@primeprepacademy.org boardchairman@primeprepacademy.org FAX (817) 840-5999
Texas Education Agency Notice Page 2 Special Accreditation Investigation Prime Prep Academy (220-818)
Teachers may not be “highly qualified” under No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) requirements. Governance
The governance information in TEA records may not be current and accurate.
The board meetings may not be held as announced.
General Procedures
By this notice, TEA has initiated a Special Accreditation Investigation. The investigation team will gather information from a variety of sources. The investigation team will conduct its activities onsite and through desk reviews. The onsite component may include interviews, observations, inspection, evaluation, and collection of records. The Superintendent and board members will receive a preliminary report of the investigation findings and have an opportunity to respond before the report is finalized.
A full explanation of the agency’s complaint investigation
procedures is enclosed for your reference.
Requests for Information
The investigation team initiated its requests for information on December 3 (financial records) and December 5, 2013 (employee roster). Subsequent requests for information will be made during the course of the investigation.
Authorities
This investigation is conducted under the following authorities:
Texas Education Code (TEC) §39.057(a)(14) as the commissioner otherwise determines necessary.
TEC §39.057(a)(4) in response to established compliance reviews of the district's financial accounting practices and state and federal program requirements.
TEC §39.056(a) conduct on-site investigations at any time to answer any questions concerning a program, including special education, required by federal law or for which the district receives federal funds.
TEC Chapter 44 Fiscal Management
Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 97, Subchapter DD, Preliminary Reports and Informal Reviews.
Referral to Other Agencies
During the course of this investigation, TEA may discover matters that may warrant immediate attention or identify concerns that are not within its jurisdiction and authority to investigate. TEA will make referrals to the proper agency, as deemed necessary.
