Gulen Fulton Science Academy management problems go back 10 years

Principal of Fulton Science Academy Kenan Sener, has denied the findings of the audit. 
However reviewing the Grace Institute and Fulton Educational Service's 990 IRS tax returns at http://www.guidestar.com/ reveals that Mr. Sener was paid for other services.  In fact, there is over $500K paid to Gulen Front group Grace Institute but questions on what "services" were done to benefit the education of students.

SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED THE UNCANNY RESEMBELANCE TO YODA.  HOW CUTE!!

http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-TOP-STORIES-c-2012-06-11-193668.114126-sub-Management-problems-at-FSA-go-back-10-years.html

June 11, 2012

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The management issues cited at the Fulton Science Academy in a recent audit have apparently been in place since the school opened, and may have laid the groundwork for its eventual demise as a publicly funded charter school.
The inaugural school year was only halfway through in 2003 when Fulton County School System officials were drawn into what was described as "serious problems" on the governing board of the FSA. According to a news article published in March 2003 in Appen Newspapers, "a serious rift has developed on the [FSA] board of directors over who is in control, essentially splitting the seven-member board into two factions with each side accusing the other of illegal activities."
Parent members of the school's governing board sought to remove the principal, Selim Ozdemir, but maintained they were stymied by the founding trustees who essentially took over as the majority on the governing board.
The founding board originated the charter for the school and was responsible only for running the nonprofit aspects of the school.
Parent members of the governing board said the trustees were supposed to cease activities related to the management of the school once the governing board was in place. Instead, the trustees appointed themselves into control of the governing board.
At the time, FSA was struggling with an enrollment of just over 200 students, after starting the year with 300.
Parents sought to dismiss Ozdemir because of what they saw as "the heavy-handedness of the school administrators" that caused the drop in students. They also noted much of the problem was culturally based, noting the principal, all three members of the founding board, as well as a significant number of faculty members, were Turkish.
Ozdemir remained as principal for five more years, at which time he became the director of the Grace Institute, which served as a quasi-vendor to FSA. Ozdemir was paid more than $100,000 a year in that position for two years.
The recent audit by the Fulton School System questioned what, if any, services or products were supplied by Grace, which received more than $500,000 from FSA in just the past two years, and which employed several former and current staff members.

Fulton Science Academy- A game of chicken results in DENIAL of charter renewal

http://rootsinalpharetta.com/2012/01/fulton-science-academy-a-game-of-chicken/

Fulton Science Academy – A game of chicken

January 4, 2012 in Faith in the Burbs, Politics, Suburban Life with 3 Comments

This is the first of two articles about the charter renewal of the Fulton Science Academy.
It’s been difficult for me to get my hands around the issue of the Fulton Science Academy’s charter renewal. Most issues like this involving children or faith are pretty easy to grasp. Start with something like land use then combine some NIMBY sentiments and a pinch of xenophobia. But FSA’s situation is entirely different with a lot of influencing factors coming into play. Those on both sides of the issue are not afraid of employing emotional appeals or hyperbole to make a point. And in issues like this the truth usually is found somewhere in the middle. So after spending many hours of my Christmas break reading up on this fiasco, I’ve come to the conclusion that FSA’s charter renewal is really just…

A game of chicken

Yep, both sides were plowing ahead at full speed, waiting to see who would swerve first. Unfortunately those along for the ride include several hundred children, their families, taxpayers and a few bond holders. And all of these groups stand to lose big because of it.

“Increasingly volatile and combative relationship”

That’s how the credit rating agency Fitch described things between the FSA and the Fulton County School Board. They made this comment as they were downgrading FSA’s credit rating on their $19 million building bond. The relationship was volatile because each side had a big club to bring to the fight. FSA’s club was their recent Blue Ribbon Award from the Department of Education. Surely the school board would not deny a request from a school with such a high distinction. Armed with this, they asked for a ten year renewal on their charter, the maximum allowed. Additionally they requested a full waiver of Title 20 rules.
FCSB’s big club was a Georgia Supreme Court decision in 2011 that found that the state could not approve charter schools. That authority, according to the court, rests only with county school boards. It makes FSA’s appeal process more difficult. This is the FCSB’s chance to flex its muscle under the new ruling. As such, the Title 20 blanket waiver was off the table and they would only consider a three year charter renewal.
Neither side moved much after months of discussion. The FSA reduced their proposal to eight years but the FCSB made it clear that they would only consider three. Nevertheless, only the eight year proposal was brought before the school board. And at the end of this game of chicken, the FCSB didn’t swerve. Crash! They unanimously voted down FSA’s eight year request.
Both sides have acted poorly. Supporters of the FSA have been out in force claiming that the FCSB wants to shut down an award-winning school. It’s hyperbole pure and simple. It’s clear to me that the FSA wanted to force the school board into making such a vote even though another offer was on the table. Nobody desires to shut down this school.
On the flip side, the FCSB has not acted in good faith since the vote. FSA has relented (finally), agreeing to the three year term. However, the FCSB now will not consider it, saying the matter is closed. I don’t understand why they cannot move to amend or reconsider a matter that was before them. Most deliberative bodies easily have this option available under their rules. It would be best for all parties involved to approve the three year charter renewal and move on.
Tomorrow I’ll talk about why the FCSB is justified in wanting a shorter charter term for the Fulton Science Academy. And as always, there’s an elephant in the room that needs to be discussed. Stay tuned.