William and Josephine Dorn Charter Community School

“Charter school gets too much state funding.” KOAT (Albuquerque, NM), 12/4/2012

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Target 7 learned a new charter academy grossly overestimated its enrollment numbers, and now the school will have to pay the state back for money it didn’t deserve.

The William and Josephine Dorn Charter Community School sits at the Eastern Edge of the South Valley. According to the state’s Legislative Finance Committee, the academy received more state money than it was owed for the entire year because it estimated it would have 90 students when it actually had nine...

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Las Montañas Charter School

“Audit shows Las Montañas Charter's repeat accounting problems.” Las Cruces Sun-News (NM), 2/8/2013

LAS CRUCES — Las Montañas Charter School again has accounting difficulties and faces revocation of its charter, a year after budget problems threatened to shut down the school.

Las Montañas overstated its capital asset balance — the value of its land, buildings, equipment and other assets — on is fiscal year 2011 report, according to final audit findings presented to the Las Cruces school board Tuesday...

"These audit findings are problematic," Superintendent Stan Rounds said.

Las Montañas was "not keeping good track of the assets they had purchased" and listed items as assets that it didn't buy, Las Cruces Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Finance Terry Dean said...

To fix the overstatement, the school's listed net assets and capital assets were each decreased by $100,701.

The decrease does not alter the school's budget, merely corrects the value of the assets it owns.

Las Montañas also couldn't account for $83,207 in cash, according to the audit report...

This audit is not the first time financial issues at Las Montañas have come up.

The school has repeat problems with its internal control structure, cash control and bookkeeping, among others, according to the report...

Las Montañas has seen low enrollment and graduation rates...

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Estancia Valley Classical Academy

“PED warns charter school against religious teachings.” KRQE (NM), 11/2/2012

A letter from the Public Department of Education says some parents have complained a new charter school in Moriarty is using taxpayer dollars to teach religion.

The letter was sent less than a month ago by Secretary-designate of Education Hanna Skandera, reminding school officials to follow state law.

“What we provide here is a rigorous academic alternative,” says Roger Lenard, president of the Estancia Valley Classical Academy (EVCA) Governing Council...

The state sent a letter telling the school it "must immediately cease using any biblical or religious-based curriculum and/or instructional activities, if it is indeed doing so."...

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“Monkeys On Trial In The Estancia Valley?” New Mexico Central, 11/3/2012

We found ourselves not-too-terribly surprised to read recent articles (“Charter School Warned,” “PED warns charter school against religious teachings“) regarding accusations by the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) that the Estancia Valley Classical Academy (ECVA) may have strayed over the line between religious and secular education. Our lack of surprise – and, to some extent, our amusement – stems from the fact that both articles mention an individual who was featured in the context of his views on “science” (including an apparent bent toward creationism or, at least, anti-evolutionism) in one of our previous articles (See our August 11, 2011 article, An Article About Articles). That individual, Roger Lenard, is variously described as “one of the school’s founders” and the president of the school’s governing council.

Given the many references to Mr. Lenard’s reported creationist beliefs and purported attempts to insert them into academic curricula, we certainly understand why parents would be concerned about what may be taught in science classes at a school over whose curriculum Mr. Lenard likely wields substantial influence...

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Cesar Chavez Community School

“APD: Student had assault weapon in car.” KRQE News (NM), 3/3/2012

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A student at an Albuquerque charter school has been arrested for having a gun on campus.

Someone spotted an assault weapon in Andre Martinez's car at Cesar Chavez Community School near on Palomas Avenue SW near Gibson Boulevard Friday, according to Albuquerque police.

When they searched it police found the unloaded gun, a loaded magazine, two folding knives and a bayonet...

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“Teenage stabbing suspect name released; Police say Cecilio Lopez, 17, killed his classmate.” KRQU News (NM), 1/24/2012

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Albuquerque police say they arrested 17-year old Cecilio Lopez in connection with the deadly stabbing of fellow classmate Jose de la Paz, also age 17, on Thursday.

Investigators believe it was all the end result of a simmering feud between Lopez and de la Paz which escalated from an argument...

Cesar Chavez Community School student Tanya Encinias spoke with News 13 and recounted the events of Thursday afternoon. "The guy that stabbed him was in the van with his dad yelling across the yard at the other kid," said Encinias. "...calling him names and saying that he's a stupid wetback and all this...then he just ran after him and attacked him."...

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Career Academic Technical Academy

“APS board revokes charter school's license." KOB.com (NM), 9/21/2011

Albuquerque Public Schools school board voted Wednesday evening to revoke a charter school's license after an audit showed the principal violated policy by hiring family members.

The audit said Career Academic and Technology Academy Charter School Principal Glee Hare hired her brother and son and said the governing board contracted a deal with another one of her sons.

Attorneys for the Career Academic and Technology Academy charter school defended the hires and said certain nepotism regulations were not in effect at the time of the hires and once those new rules were set in place in 2008, the school took proper action to make sure the hires were legal...

The school is now set to close at the end of the school year, but the school can appeal the decision...

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Gulen charter schools in New Mexico

STATE	# ACTIVE	# PENDING	# INACTIVE*	TOTAL
NM	1	0	0	1

* Denied, withdrawn, closed, or unknown status

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TOTAL ENROLLMENT IN 2010-2011 = 214 STUDENTS

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SCHOOLS

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ALBUQUERQUE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
Status	ACTIVE, opened 2010-2011
Charter Holder	New Mexico Focus Foundation
Authorizer	New Mexico Public Education Department
Location/District	13201 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque / Albuquerque Public Schools
Website	http://www.abqse.org/
Enrollment	Grades 1-8; 2010-2011 enrollment = 214
Notes	Principal Ahmet Cetinkaya previously worked at Harmony Science Academy schools in College Station, Houston, and Beaumont.

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CHARTER HOLDER

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NEW MEXICO FOCUS FOUNDATION
Federal Tax ID	EIN unknown
Website	None
History	Serhat Altunc, president, stated “...in 2005, we establish New Mexico Focus Foundation, you know. We just found out, you know, started charter school...And then about two years ago, we met with Cosmos Foundation, and, you know, we are getting consultation from them.” http://www.ped.state.nm.us/Charter/dl10/2009%20Charter%20School%20Hearings/Albuquerque%20School%20for%20Excellence%20082609.pdf
Individuals involved	Serhat ("Sam S.") Altunc; Arife Burcu Colak (is Arife Burcu Colak Altunc); Unal Sakoglu; Mehmet Fatih Su; Mustafa Zengin
Notes

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“PARTNER ORGANIZATION”

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COSMOS FOUNDATION / HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Federal Tax ID	EIN 76-0615245
Website	http://www.cosmostx.org/
Services	Cosmos gets a flat fee of $45,000/year from the state funding provided to the Focus Foundation because of their “Support Services Agreement.”
Individuals involved	Ali Tekin, Bilal Akin, Burhanettin Kuruscu, Cengizhan Keskin, Cocksun Cetinkaya, Ellen A. MacDonald, Fatih Yigit, Gokturk Tunc, Ibrahim Sel, Iker Gure, Ismet S. Isik, Kadir Almus, Kudbettin Aksoy, Levent Bulut, Lynn Mitchell, Mehmet Okumus, Mustafa Atik, Mustafa Guvercin, Mustafa Ozen, Nihat Guvercin, Oner Ulvi Celepicikay, Ozgur Ozer, Selahattin Aydin, Soner Tarim, Tevik Eski, Umit Pecin, Yetkin Yildirim (source: IRS Form 990s for 2002 to 2009)

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NOTE: Learn more about the Cosmos Foundation / Harmony Public Schools HERE and HERE and HERE.

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New Mexico charter schools (compliance issues)

“Public Education Department Announces Initial Findings in Audit of 28Charter Schools.” New Mexico Public Education Department News Release 02 Jun 2011 

SANTA FE – In keeping with the commitment to protect classroom dollars, the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) on Friday announced the initial findings of an audit conducted in 28 charter schools. Over the last year, the number of new students in New Mexico schools has increased by about 1%, while the funding units have increased about 116%...

Charter Schools Cited for Minor Compliance Issues (13 Charters):

Based on a review of records and additional accountability measures established by the Department’s auditing team, thirteen charter schools were cited for minor compliance issues not consistent with state or federal laws. Minor compliance issues identified include poor data quality, inaccurate or delayed record keeping, discrepancies between data submitted to the Department and data included in a student’s Individualized Education Program and potential additional questions regarding the level of services provided to a special education student. The Department will follow up with these charters within the next two weeks outlining specific remedies and a timeline for coming into compliance. In many cases, this may be as simple as correcting unintentional technical errors...

Charter Schools Cited for Major Compliance Issues (9 Charters):

Based on a review of records and additional accountability measures established by the Department’s auditing team, nine charter schools were cited for major compliance issues not consistent with state or federal laws. In addition to minor compliance issues, these charters showed unusually high rates of ancillary services provided or failed to provide services to children despite receiving dollars for these services from the state. The Department will follow up with these charters within the next two weeks outlining specific remedies and a timeline for coming into compliance with state and federal laws. These charters include:

Special Education:

- Robert F. Kennedy

- La Promesa

- Anansi Charter

- ABQ Talent Development Center

- Middle College High School

- Cariños de los Niños

Training & Experience:

- Robert F. Kennedy

- Las Montañas

- Southwest Primary Learning Center

- Southwest Secondary Learning Center

- Middle College High School

Charter Schools Selected for Additional Audit Measures Based on Initial Findings (1 Charter):

Based on a review of records and additional accountability measures established by the Department’s auditing team, one charter school was identified as needing a more intensive and expansive audit to determine the extent of their infractions. In addition to the major compliance issues identified above, this charter exhibited severe data quality issues or could not verify data reported to the Department, could not validate records and provider service logs, could not verify students were receiving services and showed unusual trends needing additional review. This charter school is:

Special Education:

- Nuestro Valores

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Southwest Learning Center

HEAD OF CHARTERS EARNS $204,000. Albuquerque Journal (NM) 11 Mar 2010 http://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/112311207866newsmetro03-11-10.htm

The head of three charter schools with fewer than 500 students combined earns $204,000, more than any superintendent in New Mexico except APS' Winston Brooks.

Brooks earns $256,000 a year to oversee a district of 94,000 students; Scott Glasrud oversees the Southwest Learning Center in Albuquerque with a combined enrollment of 495.

Albuquerque school board president Martin Esquivel called Glasrud's salary "beyond ridiculous," adding that it raises questions about accountability at charter schools.

"I think the perception is going to be that this charter school has set up its own private fiefdom using public money," Esquivel said in an interview. "There's really no way to justify this at all."

Glasrud's schools came under scrutiny last month after he refused to provide bank statements to the Albuquerque district, saying doing so would violate the schools' autonomy. He, along with Mike May of Amy Biehl Charter High, eventually released the documents…

"Just like anyone, I negotiate the best deal for myself and my family," Glasrud said…

The next-highest-paid superintendent in New Mexico is Stan Rounds of Las Cruces, who earns $168,000 to oversee a district of 24,000 students, according to the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators.

[Aggie Lopez, former APS board president and current president of the Southwest Secondary board,] also said Glasrud is more of a superintendent than a principal, and she pointed out that the Southwest Learning Center schools are highly successful, with a graduation rate of 95.2 percent. The schools also consistently make Adequate Yearly Progress in math and reading…

But Esquivel said the schools' performance cannot be directly compared with APS, because of the difference in demographics.

"Some would try to compare the academic achievement to APS, without disclosing the fact that they have nowhere near the same poverty issues," Esquivel said…

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APS QUESTIONS CHARTER SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT SALARY: APS RAISES MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS. KOAT.com (Albuquerque, NM) 11 Mar 2010

The Albuquerque Public School district is questioning why a charter school superintendent makes more money than the mayor of Albuquerque.

Scott Glasrud oversees three charter schools, Southwest Primary, La Luz Del Monte and Southwest Secondary.

According to reports, he oversees slightly fewer than 500 students and gets paid $204,000 per year.

Winston Brooks, superintendent of the Albuquerque Public School district, supervises 94,000 students and makes $256,000 per year.

"I think a $204,000 salary for 500 kids is absolutely outrageous," said Marty Esquivel, president of APS school board.

"The mayor of Albuquerque makes $100,000 a year, is that job tougher than being the mayor of Albuquerque?" said Esquivel…

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