Gulen Charter Schools in Florida - Americans push back

Florida you have a problem and it's called Gulen Terrorist Movement

Gulen Terrorist Charter School River City Science Academy

RIVER CITY SCIENCE ACADEMY after audit showed serious signs of financial mismanagement
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2016-07-06/story/more-florida-charter-school-audits-show-signs-financial-stress#.V350za1nfCg.twitter

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Leaders of a Jacksonville charter school that has come under scrutiny after some people tied it to a man wanted by the Turkish government have sent a letter to the city asserting they have no connection with the man.

A letter from the Turkish Consulate in Miami warned Jacksonville city leaders about Turkish rebel Fetullah Gulen, a man who has been linked to 130 charter schools across the country, including River City Science Academy on Beach Boulevard.

More Investigations Headlines

• Jacksonville school with ties to Turkey coup attempt?

The growing Duval County charter school, which is on track to open a fourth campus in Mandarin, opened in Duval County in 2007 and was founded in part by a Turkish American, Dogan Tozoglu, who is now the school's executive director.

The BBC is reporting that Turkey's president is now pushing for all of Gulen's schools to be shut down globally as the nation continues to pressure President Barack Obama to extradite him to Turkey.

But River City Science Academy's founders told the city in a letter that they have no ties to Gulen, and parents are showing their support.

David Meyer put his four children at River City Science Academy, moving them from private school several years ago.

“It has been very positive,” Meyer said. “They're doing great. All my kids are doing well, so I am very happy.”

Meyer contacted the I-TEAM after seeing our story Friday that highlighted the letter from the Turkish Consulate in Miami that was sent to Jacksonville City Council President Lori Boyer and Mayor Lenny Curry, warning them about Imam Fetullah Gulen and his possible local ties.

READ: Letter to City Council President Lori Boyer from the Turkish Consulate in Miami |
Letter from RCSA founders to mayor and Boyer

Gulen is a Turkish-born activist who came to the U.S. for refuge.

Turkey’s president claims Gulen helped organize last month’s failed coup that left 241 people dead and nearly 1,500 injured.

The concerns over any possible ties between Gulen and River City Science Academy were enough for the City Council to hold two pending resolutions involving the school.

"We were surprised to receive the letter and are trying to understand the involvement, if any, locally,” Boyer said.

In a letter to Mayor Lenny Curry and Boyer, the executive Tozoglu wrote, “We ask for your support in denouncing such baseless and hateful allegations.” He said the school “is not owned, affiliated with or governed by any other organization.”

The academy’s leader said rumors had been swirling for years, and that “as soon as RCSA became aware of these allegations, it shared them with school district staff who determined they had no merit.”

“Trust me, at first I was a little bit concerned, so me and my wife, we did our homework,” Meyer said.

Meyer said after reading up on the allegations, he’s comfortable with the school’s leaders and doesn’t think they’ve done anything wrong. He said he doesn’t want the school to be shut down, no matter what Turkey’s president says.

“It would be a real disservice for the kids who live here and have the opportunity to attend this school,” Meyer said.

The mayor's office deferred comment to Duval County Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti released this statement:

The school itself has been well run, supported by parents and the greater community, and enjoys a strong reputation in Jacksonville. Previous reviews have not generated any red flags. However, we are reviewing the matter closely to determine if an investigation will be conducted, as some of the possible financial connections are concerning."

The owners of the academy have invited News4Jax to their school to speak with parents, teachers and students.

Copyright 2016 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/investigations/jacksonville-school-with-ties-to-turkey-coup-attempt_

Gulen Charter Schools update, closed, proposed openings...

• 2012-2013: 140 schools in 26 states (59,953 students)
• 2011-2012: 136 schools in 26 states (51,950 students)
• 2010-2011: 126 schools in 25 states (44,727 students)

 

Closed or control transferred to another entity at the end of 2012-2013 (five schools):

 

• California (1): Pacific Technology School – Orangevale (closed)
• Florida (2): Sweetwater Branch Academy and Sweetwater Branch Academy Elementary (closed because of poor school grades and financial trouble)
• Maryland (1): Baltimore IT Academy (indicators that control has been transferred: staff now using @bcps.k12.md.us email instead of @bitacademy.org; website used to be www.bitacademy.org but is now http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/Domain/5027
• Minnesota (1): Minnesota School of Science (closed)

 

 

School replaced (one school)

 

• Arizona (1): Sonoran Science Academy – Peoria (17667 N 91st Ave., Peoria) has replaced Sonoran Science Academy – Phoenix Metro (2645 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix) on the Sonoran Schools website. Webpage for SSA-Phoenix Metro redirects to SSA-Peoria, a new location 30 mi. away.

 

 

New schools (12 schools)

 

Florida (2)

• Discovery Academy of Science (1380 Pinehurst Rd., Dunedin)
• River City Science Academy – Innovation (3251 Newell Blvd., Jacksonville)

Illinois (2)

• Horizon Science Academy Belmont (5035 W. North Ave., Chicago)
• Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park (2245 W. Pershing Rd., Chicago)

Indiana (1)

• Indiana Math & Science Academy – South (2710 Bethel Ave., Indianapolis)

Massachusetts (1)

• Pioneer Charter School of Science II (planned for Saugus; using temporary location in Everett)

Missouri (1)

• Gateway Science Academy – South (6651 Gravois Ave., St. Louis)

New Jersey (1)

• Paterson Arts and Sciences Charter School (151 East 33rd St., Paterson)

New York (1)

• Utica Academy of Science Charter School (1214 Lincoln Ave., Utica)

South Carolina (1)

• Greenville Renewable Energy Education ("GREEN") Charter School (1440 Pelham Rd., Greenville)

Texas (2)

• Harmony School of Exploration (9305 W. Sam Houston Parkway South, Houston)
• Harmony School of Innovation – Euless (701 S. Industrial Blvd, Suite 105, Euless)

 

Known Gulen charter schools in the works as of 9/14/2013 (eight)

 

Connecticut (1)

• Connecticut Academy of Math and Science: most recent known activity was in January 2013 when a Letter of Intent was submitted to the Connecticut Board of Education

Florida (1)

• Capital City Charter Science Academy: most recent known activity was in August 2013 when an application was submitted to Leon County Schools

Maine (1)

• Lewiston-Auburn Academy Charter School: most recent known activity was in September 2013 when a Letter of Intent was submitted to the Maine Charter School Commission

New York (1)

• Westchester Academy of Science Charter School: most recent known activity was in February 2013 when the Letter of Intent was accepted and the operator was invited to submit its full application

Pennsylvania (4)

• Allentown Engineering Academy Charter School: most recent known activity was in February 2013 when the application was rejected by the Allentown School Board
• Erie Biosciences Academy Charter School: most recent known activity was in February 2013 when the application was rejected by the Millcreek School Board. There were indications that the founders might appeal.
• Young Scholars of McKeesport Charter School: most recent known activity was in March 2013 when the application was rejected by the McKeesport Area School Board. The founders stated that they would appeal.
• Academy of Business & Entrepreneurship Charter School: most recent known activity was in September 2013 when a Letter of Intent was submitted to the School District of Lancaster (SDL). The SDL school board had rejected the charter in March 2013.

 

For additional details about these schools and other past attempts, see Proposed Gulen charter schools, a page by CASILIPS.

http://perimeterprimate.blogspot.com/2013/09/update-on-gulen-charter-schools.html