Deseret News | Charter school may oust board member

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Charter school may oust board member

Questions | 12:45 a.m. June 27, 2009

Good story that does not go far enough, ie, did she approach the Board with the problems before going to the State? If she did not, then I would agree with the Chairman's email. If she did, then what was the Board's response, or lack thereof, that caused her to turn to the State?

Laurels | 7:18 a.m. June 27, 2009

I agree with "Questions"...

Did she go to the Board before she went to the State? Did she go to the State because the Board refused to address the problems when she brought them to everyone's attention?

If, however, she went to the state without first bringing her concerns to the Board, then there is a problem and I don't blame the Board asking her to step aside.

Himself | 9:00 a.m. June 27, 2009

What is it with Eagle Mountain?

Comments continue below

JMT | 9:26 a.m. June 27, 2009

I had a conversation with a parent of this charter high school. Her observation is that this lady is nice but a cancer to the school.

We have all seen people like this. Very well intended and at times right on the money. It is how things are done, not so much what is done. And apparently there has been many, many attempts to get her in a less advesarial role for the school.

A fully functioning board will sort these out. The good thing is that the academics of this school are solid. I wish the school, the board and this lady the best of luck as they part ways.

Answers | 12:51 p.m. June 27, 2009

The Board was approached on numerous occasions about violations but nothing was done. I was accused by the director to "always seem to need the conflict and turmoil..." in my life. I was also told by the director that my requests for financial statements created "a hostile work environment and that needs to stop or there will be repercussions." The rest of the board, as usual, sat back and allowed him to say and do anything he wished. Financial statements had NEVER been presented to the Board or taxpayers - the true owners of the school. And I, the treasurer, am causing conflict and turmoil or am creating a hostile work environment by requesting them? Does that sound right? Or does it sound like something is trying to be hidden? As an accountant, I saw red flags.

To me, this is ridiculous. Wouldn't following the charter and obeying the laws remove conflict and turmoil? I felt it was my individual duty as a board member to stop all the secrecy and try to bring accountability to the board. After continually being ignored, I had no other choice but to go to the State. And guess what? The State agreed.

Answers | 1:21 p.m. June 27, 2009

How can a "nice", "well intended" lady be made out to be "a cancer to the school" by bringing to light violations of the charter accepted by the Department of Education and violations of law? This makes no sense.

The parent JMT had a conversation with is wrong by saying that many attempts have been made to "get her in a less adversarial role..." I am the only member on the board with formal education and training in accounting. I have an AA in Business Administration, AS in Accounting, BS in Accounting, and am currently a MBA student. I have years of work experience, specifically with responsibilities that included preparing Board of Director packages on the financial standing of a company and I own my own accounting business. With my education and work experience, I believe the founding families appointed me to the proper role on the Board. Do the other Board members (besides Kim Feller) have the necessary qualifications to fulfill their role on the board? No! They are getting rid of the only one (excluding Kim) that does.

How fully functioning can the remaining board members be? And what will they continue to get away with?

Anonymous | 2:23 p.m. June 27, 2009

Yep. Charters are the answer to all of our education dreams.

Anonymous | 2:36 p.m. June 27, 2009

Give me a break, the violations are minor reporting issues that the school is working on. Schools all over the state are expierencing problems because the legislature/office of Ed. dream up new reasons for new reports all the time.
This woman is the problem here, the good news is that the board is doing something about it. I'm so tired of adults acting like the kids thinking they're smarter than everyone, willing to destroy anyone or anything in their path.
She is NOT concerned for the school she is concerned for herself! I'm glad folks can see through this, btw is this the best the D-news can come up with?

Anonymous | 3:00 p.m. June 27, 2009

Thanks, Answers. The paper report does not have the details.

@ Answers | 4:29 p.m. June 27, 2009

Did you bring these violations to the Board's attention and allow them a chance to fix them before you went to the state? Since you believe you are only one of two people who knows what's going on, why weren't you providing guidance to the rest of the board to prevent these violations from occurring? Are you saying that these violations were willful rather than an oversight or part of the learning curve of understanding the state's rules? Do you believe the other Board members don't want to be compliant, so you had to blow the whistle on them?

You may have many degrees and lots of good experience, but if you went to the state before talking to the other Board members about the violations and giving them a chance to fix them, then you are a difficult person to work with...one who is pretty full of herself.

If you did bring the violations to the Board members and they told you to blow off, then you should have gone to the state.

Did you talk to the board first before you went to the state?

Answers | 7:03 p.m. June 27, 2009

Yes, I brought the violations to the Board's attention and plead with them to take action. Others on the board at the time (since resigned from their positions) also tried to address problems but we were ignored. It's the responsibility of the Director and President to come up with the agenda for each board meeting and our requests were repeatedly left off the agenda.

Attempts were made to bring some questions and problems up in an open meeting but I was reprimanded by the President in emails. I was told if it happened again, "we will immediately go to a closed meeting and the person bringing up the name will be censured by the Board." As mentioned before, I was also threatened with "repercussions" from the Director. Many things are occuring that specifically violate the Open Meeting Act, preventing the public from fully knowing what is going on. There is no doubt these violations are willful and I have the proof to back up my beliefs.

To be fair, Kim Feller is a new member to the Board and had no idea what she was getting into. Her opinions now are influenced by the President and VP.

Anonymous | 7:06 p.m. June 27, 2009

Gee I wish my kids could go to a charter school too!

Rel | 7:37 p.m. June 27, 2009

Answers said: "things are occuring that specifically violate the Open Meeting Act, preventing the public from fully knowing what is going on."

Welcome to Utah.

former charter parent | 1:00 p.m. June 28, 2009

welcome to the world of - why parents are pulling their kids out of charters - because being a parent doesn't qualify a person to run a school.

Idea for a new TV sitcom | 7:59 p.m. June 28, 2009

Eagle Mountain: The Wackiest of Utah's Suburban Communities

@former charter parent | 9:38 a.m. June 29, 2009

Unfortunately, in many cases, neither does a degree. I wish we could figure out what qualifies a person to run a school, but there are a lot of schools being run by people who are not qualified. That is true in traditional, charter, and private schools, and at the school and (primarily) district level. I'm afraid I have no answers, but someone has to, right?

Harv | 2:40 p.m. June 29, 2009

When politics and good judgment sleep well in the same bed, Charter Schools might have a chance to improve. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening. We've turned our schools into political pawns by trying to force schools to be all things to all people with providing them with extremely limited resources. Every school leader knows that good professional judgment is compromised every day for the sake of politics. Charter Schools are prime examples.

King Madsen | 12:50 a.m. June 30, 2009

Well, Eagle Mountains' very own Mussolini, Senator Mark Madsen, who speaks derogatorily about Utah County's Republican delegates must have something to do with this. He is the King of deception and corruption in Eagle Mountain and partners with Provo's very own Brown Shirt's commander, the honorable (Cough Cough) Senator "Bully" Bramble.

Parent | 1:56 p.m. July 5, 2009

Ms. Foss IS difficult to work with.
-Minutes of prior meetings show that she WAS given the information she requested, although she states to anyone (including the press) who will listen that this is untrue.
-She has argued about placement of money on the budget, as in which column. She believes that she is better qualified to state which column/page an entry should be, in spite of what the school accountant says--and in spite of the school being $200,000 in the BLACK! She spends time going over and over this kind of concern rather than working with the other board members to address important issues that will improve the school.
-Being "Treasurer" is not a voted in position; it is an appointed position, and she was asked at the board meeting if she'd like two weeks formal notice to step down, and she, of course, said yes--even though a "straw poll" was taken and it was shown that the other board members would unanimously vote her off. Why is she still there? What is her REAL agenda?

Answers | 8:50 p.m. July 5, 2009

An accurate, current income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows are to be provided to the board and public at EVERY board meeting. That has NEVER occurred.

The information that was given at the board meeting showed a net profit of half a million dollars which I knew to be untrue. The accountant was not available to answer questions and the business manager had no clue. Approval was tabled until the next board meeting when the accountant would be available to answer questions.

At the next board meeting the actuals had changed from what was previously submitted to the board two weeks earlier - over $300,000.00 difference. To me, as a member of the board and public, that is a HUGE difference that should be explained. Obviously, Parent agrees with the existing board members in hiding as much information from the public as they can get away with.

Answers | 9:08 p.m. July 5, 2009

Treasurer is an appointed position. I was appointed by the founding families because of my education and experience but the founding families are not the ones removing me from the board. Actually, many of the founding families are so fed up with the existing board that they have removed their children from the school.

Rockwell's charter that was approved by the Board Education states that a certified letter must be sent at least two weeks before the next board meeting notifying the member of the reasons they are being removed. I have yet to receive such a letter. State laws further outline the process that must be followed but the board is not following them - BIG SURPRISE!!

Why am I still on the board? What is my REAL agenda? The same as it has always been - to bring integrity and accountability to the board. Rockwell Charter High School CANNOT be successful if the board continues to violate the charter and break the laws. I want Rockwell to succeed and be in existence when my now five year old is old enough to attend.

Answers | 9:33 p.m. July 5, 2009

Parent conveniently forgot to mention that the Board President contacted an attorney and was advised to follow the charter by giving me a certified letter at least two weeks before a board meeting. This can be heard on the meeting audio.... wait.... the meeting minutes and audio required by law to be posted are not available. The fact is that the last board meeting minutes posted are from May 14, 2009. NONE of the minutes or audios of the meetings since I wrote a letter to the state are available. Another law being violated to hide what is really happening. What would the public think of the Director throwing a temper tantrum and walking out of the meeting or the President reprimanding me for writing a letter to the State even before he had the opportunity to read it? How would the taxpayers - the true owners of the school - feel about the President saying that the school is better off removing me from the board rather than following the laws?

Why is a person standing for what is right being made out to be difficult and cancerous?

What is Parent's REAL agenda?

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