Published in Age of Awareness

·22 hours ago

#AnotherDayAnotherCharterScandal

Is Corruption Built Into The Charter School System?

Getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar should have ended his career. Instead, David Fehte was hired to lead another charter school.

“When you don’t take a stand against corruption you tacitly support it.”
- Kamal Haasan

As the Executive Director of El Camino Charter High School, David Fehte used his school-issued credit card to pay for a life of luxury. The purchases charged to this card included high-priced meals at Monty’s…

Voices From The Community

Parents Supporting Teachers: A View of Advocacy from the Trenches

Guest columnist Rachel Wagner gives a tour of Parents Supporting Teachers, the largest parent-led education advocacy group in Los Angeles.

“Parenting is never easy. But parenting during a global pandemic can feel exasperating.”
- Rachel Wagner

This year will be a defining one for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rear its ugly head, the district will forge ahead with a new Superintendent…

#AnotherDayAnotherCharterScandal

David Beats Goliath!

KIPP charter schools tried to bypass environmental laws to build a school on a site contaminated with toxic waste. The community fought back.

“We WON!!!! Don’t ever let anyone detour you from doing the right thing. KIPP has Money but we have the Power of the People!!!!”
- Cudahy Alliance for Justice

In a case that provided an example of how the lack of charter school industry oversight endangers the health and safety…

2022 LAUSD Elections

The Race Begins In LAUSD Board District 2

For over a decade Monica Garcia has ignored public school parents. They could regain their voice by electing Dr. Rocio Rivas to the board.

“As parent of a sixth-grade son who is thriving in district classrooms, I want all families to be able to access the joy of learning, the care of trained educators, the safety of a well-run school environment, and the opportunities for diverse and lasting friendships with classmates that he has…

#AnotherDayAnotherCharterScandal

When Two Cults Collide

Maribel Campos was Granada Hills Charter Schools’ biggest cheerleader until they enforced a vaccine mandate for teachers.

Maribel Campos displays her award from Speak Up

“Campos said she resigned because she did not agree with the decision to mandate a vaccine for any of the staff or student body.”
- ABC7

When Granada Hills High School first left the LAUSD to become an independent charter, parents were given a seat at the table. Two positions…

#AnotherDayAnotherCharterScandal

Might Will Not Make Right

In 2021 the charter school industry held all the cards but still tried to intimidate critics. This author won’t back down to their threats.

Administrators from Citizens of the World attempt to end a protest against their co-location of Shirley Avenue Elementary School

“Keep your website up and hear from our attorneys now that you know the truth.”
- Charter School Advocate Michael Trujillo

In the 2020 elections, those supporting public education in the LAUSD won three out of the four seats available on the school board. However, these three victories were not…

Out with the old…

Let’s Go 2021

It started out with a lot of promise, but 2021 was the year that could not stand on its own, always living in the shadow of its predecessor.

“Few periods in our nation’s history have been more challenging or difficult than the one we’re in now.”
- President Joe Biden

As the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2021, our country seemed to be on the brink of climbing out of the nightmare that was the year 2020…

Follow Up

Another Allegation Levied Against City Council Candidate

Charter school activist claims that Nick Melvoin’s staffer violated the LAUSD’s election policies during her run as a school board candidate.

Appointing a non-Latino candidate like Goldberg to the seat, even temporarily, “is definitely not in the spirit of the law…It would seem contrary to what LAUSD’s own commission did” when it drew the district.
- Charter School Advocate Michael Trujillo

Michael Trujillo is a “Democratic Strategist” who often works on…

Parent Engagement

Victory For Shirley?

Citizens Of The World Charter School West Valley announces that they will move to a private facility next year. Will they follow through?

“It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for the Shirley community.”
- Francine Matthews

For almost two years, the community at Shirley Avenue Elementary School has been fighting back against an invasion by the Citizens of the World nationwide chain of charter schools. In a David versus Goliath type of…

#AnotherDayAnotherCharterScandal

Getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar should have ended his career. Instead, David Fehte was hired to lead another charter school.

Voices From The Community

Guest columnist Rachel Wagner gives a tour of Parents Supporting Teachers, the largest parent-led education advocacy group in Los Angeles.

#AnotherDayAnotherCharterScandal

KIPP charter schools tried to bypass environmental laws to build a school on a site contaminated with toxic waste. The community fought back.

2022 LAUSD Elections

For over a decade Monica Garcia has ignored public school parents. They could regain their voice by electing Dr. Rocio Rivas to the board.

#AnotherDayAnotherCharterScandal

Maribel Campos was Granada Hills Charter Schools’ biggest cheerleader until they enforced a vaccine mandate for teachers.

#AnotherDayAnotherCharterScandal

In 2021 the charter school industry held all the cards but still tried to intimidate critics. This author won’t back down to their threats.

Out with the old…

It started out with a lot of promise, but 2021 was the year that could not stand on its own, always living in the shadow of its predecessor.

Follow Up

Charter school activist claims that Nick Melvoin’s staffer violated the LAUSD’s election policies during her run as a school board candidate.

Parent Engagement

Citizens Of The World Charter School West Valley announces that they will move to a private facility next year. Will they follow through?

Carl J. Petersen