How to get involved:
Sample letters
Last updated Nov 20, 2013
If you would like to take action but are unsure where to begin, here are some suggestions to help you get started. Addresses given here are for public officials, obtained from public documents or public websites (i.e., no privacy issues).
Note that all US taxpayers and citizens have grounds for objection to any Gulen charter school, regardless of location. These schools receive federal funds (Title I, ED CSP grants, RTTT grants, etc) in addition to state and local monies. This is a national issue.
(See also: page on upcoming public hearings.)
Magnolia Science Academy - Next Generation, San Diego CA
Issue: Magnolia Public Schools, already running a chain of 11 charter schools in California, is applying to open a new school in San Diego to be named "Magnolia Science Academy - Next Generation." The application, dated Sep 2013, with a planned school opening in fall 2014, has been submitted to the San Diego Unified School District.
Action: Write the San Diego Unified School District, which is the proposed authorizer for this charter school, and encourage them to reject the application on the grounds that Magnolia Public Schools has been cited for accounting deficiencies and other issues that should concern all taxpayers. Or, write to object on the grounds that the proposed school's contracting to the Accord Institute for Education Research is an unethical related-party deal.
Email letters to the San Diego Unified School District School Board Members (they provide only email addresses for contact):
Mr. John Lee Evans, Board President Email: [email protected]
Mr. Kevin Beiser, Vice President Board of Education Email: [email protected]
Mr. Richard Barrera Email: [email protected]
Mr. Scott Barnett Email: [email protected]
Ms. Marne Foster Email: [email protected]
Email letters to the San Diego Unified School District School Board Members (they provide only email addresses for contact):
Mr. John Lee Evans, Board President Email: [email protected]
Mr. Kevin Beiser, Vice President Board of Education Email: [email protected]
Mr. Richard Barrera Email: [email protected]
Mr. Scott Barnett Email: [email protected]
Ms. Marne Foster Email: [email protected]
Sample letter objecting to proposed school because of Magnolia's track record of poor accounting and fiscal practices:
sdusd_school_board_-_copy.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Sample letter objecting to proposed school on the grounds that Magnolia's contracting to the Accord Institute for Education Research is an unethical related-party deal.
sdusd_school_board_2_-_copy.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Stars Middle School, Tallahassee FL
Issue: Stars is currently a middle school, but plans to expand into elementary grades. According to the proposal, the school's enrollment, currently 156, could increase to 375 students. Stars is authorized by the Leon County School Board. The City Commission of Tallahassee will hold a one-time hearing on Nov 26, 2013 (it may be postponed to Dec 11) to decide whether it is allowed to have a school on the proposed new site; sometimes input on such decisions is confined to zoning issues (i.e., impact on local traffic, parking, etc). While a Sep 24, 2013 news article reported that the Leon County School Board would decide on Stars' expansion that evening, it seems there is no mention of it in the board docs, so it may still be possible to influence their decision.
Action: Contact the Leon County School Board and urge them to not allow Stars Middle School to add elementary grades. Address letters to the school board members:
Mr. Forrest Van Camp
[email protected]
7766 Cornucopia Lane
Tallahassee, FL 32309
Mr. Dee Crumpler
[email protected]
1105 Corby Court East
Tallahassee, Florida 32317
Ms. Maggie Lewis-Butler
[email protected]
419 Mercury Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32305
Ms. Dee Dee Rasmussen
[email protected]
6334 Sinkola Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32312
Ms. Georgia M. "Joy" Bowen
[email protected]
2505 Fritz Lane
Tallahassee, Florida 32304
Action: Contact the Leon County School Board and urge them to not allow Stars Middle School to add elementary grades. Address letters to the school board members:
Mr. Forrest Van Camp
[email protected]
7766 Cornucopia Lane
Tallahassee, FL 32309
Mr. Dee Crumpler
[email protected]
1105 Corby Court East
Tallahassee, Florida 32317
Ms. Maggie Lewis-Butler
[email protected]
419 Mercury Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32305
Ms. Dee Dee Rasmussen
[email protected]
6334 Sinkola Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32312
Ms. Georgia M. "Joy" Bowen
[email protected]
2505 Fritz Lane
Tallahassee, Florida 32304
Sample letter (Word doc) for Leon County residents:
sample_letter_stars_-_copy.docx | |
File Size: | 21 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Sample letter (Word doc) for US citizens outside Leon County, Florida
sample_letter_stars_nonres_-_copy.docx | |
File Size: | 21 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Or, contact the City Commission of Tallahassee and request they not approve the rezoning:
City Commission
300 South Adams Street
Tallahassee FL 32301
850-891-8181
City Commission
300 South Adams Street
Tallahassee FL 32301
850-891-8181
Truebright Science Academy, Philadelphia PA
Issue: Philadelphia's School Reform Commission has voted unanimously to terminate Truebright's charter. However, the school plans to appeal to the state board. This board has a history of reversing local decisions.
Action: Write members of Pennsylvania's Charter Appeal Board to ask them to uphold charter termination.
Address letters to the board in general, or to board members:
ATTN: Charter Appeal Board
c/o Charter Schools Office
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street, 10th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Email: [email protected]
ATTN: Carolyn Dumaresq, Acting Secretary of Education
Chairwoman, Charter Appeal Board
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Michael Magnotto
500 Anderwood Drive
Hermitage PA 16148
Ms. Lee Ann Munger
232 Ingram Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15205
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Kenneth Lawrence, Jr.
351 Knoll Road
Plymouth Meeting PA 19462
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Mitchell J Yanyanin
4110 Marion Hill Road
New Brighton PA 15066
Email: [email protected]
Issue: Philadelphia's School Reform Commission has voted unanimously to terminate Truebright's charter. However, the school plans to appeal to the state board. This board has a history of reversing local decisions.
Action: Write members of Pennsylvania's Charter Appeal Board to ask them to uphold charter termination.
Address letters to the board in general, or to board members:
ATTN: Charter Appeal Board
c/o Charter Schools Office
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street, 10th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Email: [email protected]
ATTN: Carolyn Dumaresq, Acting Secretary of Education
Chairwoman, Charter Appeal Board
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Michael Magnotto
500 Anderwood Drive
Hermitage PA 16148
Ms. Lee Ann Munger
232 Ingram Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15205
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Kenneth Lawrence, Jr.
351 Knoll Road
Plymouth Meeting PA 19462
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Mitchell J Yanyanin
4110 Marion Hill Road
New Brighton PA 15066
Email: [email protected]
Sample letter (Word doc) for residents of Philadelphia:
sample_letter_truebright_-_copy.docx | |
File Size: | 20 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Sample letter (Word doc) for US citizens not residing in Philadelphia:
sample_letter_truebright_nonres_-_copy.docx | |
File Size: | 21 kb |
File Type: | docx |