Rumors (and denials) of a rogue charter school opening next week
By Katy Murphy
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011 at 5:25 pm in charter schools, elementary schools, families.
Sometimes when I write about the American Indian Public Charter School I feel like I’ve entered an alternative reality. This is one of those times.
For that reason, I can’t tell you definitively whether an unauthorized elementary charter school will open on American Indian’s downtown campus on Halloween, as rumored — though it’s looking unlikely. I’ll just share the information I’ve collected so far.
Evidence that suggests a school affiliated with American Indian is (or at least was) slated to open two months into the school year:
- I called the receptionist at the school last week, told her I was a news reporter, and asked if American Indian was opening a new elementary school in October, as I had heard. She said, “Yes it is.”
- An OUSD mother who attended a recent informational meeting at American Indian said parents were told that a new elementary school would indeed open on Oct. 31. She’s since heard rumors it will no longer happen. But if it does, she said, she will probably send her daughter there.
- OUSD Spokesman Troy Flint said district staff spoke with Laura Armstrong, the director of another charter school, East Oakland Leadership Academy. He said Armstrong told them that it planned to “expand” onto American Indian’s downtown Oakland campus this fall. (I’ve left two messages for Armstrong since Friday, which haven’t been returned.)
- Flint said the district received a number of reports about families who said they planned to pull their children out of their schools and enroll them at a new American Indian school.
- Two teachers from Bella Vista Elementary School’s Chinese bilingual program have told me families have told them the same thing.
But then…
- Ben Chavis, who has emerged from retirement to once again lead the charter school group, laughed at the rumor that AIM would open a school in late October. He said East Oakland Leadership Academy had spoken with his organization about leasing space from them — and that American Indian is looking to open a k-8 school next year — but that he’s opening no schools next week. He said the informational meeting with parents was about next year’s expansion.
- Chavis then put me on the phone with the receptionist I spoke with last week, who proceeded to deny that she had told me anything.
Amid all the confusion, the school district sent out a letter to families, advising them to not pull their children out of school to enroll them in an unauthorized charter school. Here’s an excerpt:
- No existing charter school in Oakland – not American Indian Model Schools or any other organization — has received approval to expand its existing program to the current American Indian Public Charter School campus at 171 12th Street.
- If any organization opens a new elementary school in Oakland during the 2011-2012 school year without authorization, claiming that it is a public charter school, this is verifiably false and families should contact the Office of Charter Schools at the contact information below.
It goes on to say, in all-caps: “OUSD ADVISES PARENTS TO THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE REMOVING THEIR CHILDREN FROM THEIR CURRENT SCHOOL AND ENROLLING THEM IN AN UNAUTHORIZED PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL OR ANY PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT CLAIMS IT WILL BECOME A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL.”
“We think what they’re doing is illegal, a violation of ed code,” Flint said. “There are so many issues, it’s almost hard to list them all.”
That is, if they’re doing it at all.
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October 25th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Typical Chavis. He’ll be gone soon enough. Just a matter of time before he fades out (of town again). I’m glad the district is responding to this activity.
October 25th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
So wait, how is this charter school going to get funding? Or are the rules SO loosey-goosey for charters that funds will just start flowing in?
October 26th, 2011 at 8:19 am
That picture is old. He stopped giving away cash long ago.
October 26th, 2011 at 10:34 am
It is an old photo — from 2007, just before he retired. Or sort of retired.
October 26th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Creative Disruption…
And we have riots in the streets of Oakland too..
I can only shudder at what next year will bring.
Brave New World.
October 26th, 2011 at 11:32 am
Has Laura Armstrong made a statement confirming or denying Chavis’ statement regarding EOLA’s request?
October 26th, 2011 at 11:37 am
I spoke with that same receptionist last week and was told that the elementary component of AICS was definitely opening on October 31st. When I asked to speak with Mr. Chavis, I was told that he was meeting with the superintendent. Many of the students at Bella Vista were saying good-bye to their friends and teachers this week and parents have been coming in for transfers to AICS, as if we haven’t had enough disruption with our two consolidations. Shame on Chavis!
October 26th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Who’s the woman Chavis is whispering to at the OHigh meeting about elementary school closures on 9/27? Maybe she’d know.
They’ll appear @ 1:49 – http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/education&id=8369545
October 26th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Its a direct grab at the Chinese students. Why not open in one of the west oakland or East Oakland?
Both OUSD and Oakland Charter schools should be irked by this clown. He will now once again make a three ring circus at the mercy of the students and parents.
Lincolne and Bella Vista leaders should be down right pissed!
October 26th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
The fact that any of this is possible, no matter what the truth is, demonstrates to me a very discouraging lack of commitment to public schools.
I don’t know whether opening a school on Oct 31st is legal or not but as a parent I would NEVER consider sending my children to a school which opened two months into the school year. This doesn’t seem to be a very subtle point to me and possibly hasn’t been raised only because everyone thinks it is too obvious to need stating, but I’ll state it anyway:
Parents were planning to transfer their children to a new school next week, having placed those children at other OUSD schools (notably Bella Vista) for two months out of convenience.
They did not tell the school(s) ahead of time that they would be removing their children two months into the year. They presumably did not feel any responsibility to do so, or perhaps did not have any awareness of the disruption and further destruction that could cause.
Many people feel that school choice is a solution to the problems of public schools. I feel that there are many problems with that point of view and what has occurred here (whether or not the school opens, it is a fact that 38 children at one school were planning to leave it en masse) exemplifies some of them. Yes, schools should be accountable to their students and families. But the families and students must also share some responsibility not only for their own learning but for the schools which serve them and the school communities of which they are a part.
By the way the web site of AIMPCS is kind of shocking. If you haven’t checked it out I recommend it:
http://www.aimschools.org/aim_faq.shtml
October 26th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Ms. J: Exactly what is so shocking about that website? I looked at the FAQs – looks good to me.
We should have the same policy in the OUSD slum schools.
It looks no more remarkable than the schools I went to in the ’60s – which were integrated although there were very few blacks. The discipline was a major selling point to the families. The parents worked, they needed someone to keep a strong hand on their kids so that the parents didn’t have to worry about who the kids were associating with or what behaviors and language the kids were developing. They knew their children would be worked hard and would learn proper respect for authority – at the end of a ruler, paddle or a hand. This was especially important for the blue collar, ethnic families I sat with. Our teachers were Irish immigrant nuns to a large degree. Everybody knew what it was they were selling and it wasn’t a lot of unearned self esteem. They were as tough on the boys as the girls. And the parents gladly paid the tuition.
I suspect the readership may think that discipline is only desired by the rich. Ambitious single parents and poor families want their kids to have social mobility. That requires discipline and the three Rs. There is a big market in this kind of education.
Brave New World.
October 26th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
This guy is a clown alright! He makes a mockery of the tremendous challenges, and successes of hard working school reformers.
He should have remained “Retired”!
For the sake of education reform, and the integrity of charter and district schools- when will authorities finally investigate this character?
I think Sara was correct- charter school educators should be ticked off with his antics and shenanigans!
October 26th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Hey Nextset,
I knew you wouldn’t find it shocking and I anticipated you would say as much.
What I find shocking, aside from the point of view, are the very flippant and dismissive tone and the frequent spelling errors. The author clearly does not respect his audience. As a prospective parent I would not find that FAQ page a convincing case for a school which provides a good education.
October 26th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
So I did a little digging….
American Indian Public Charter School II is currently permitted to serve 5th-8th grade. You can check their existing charter at http://goo.gl/GTEWk (PDF). Look at page 6 Paragraph 1 (“A. Mission”)
So this is why there is the confusion. They are adding a 5th grade this year.
I know that it is a bit unusual to start in October… but I am sure that by the end of the year they will have covered and mastered the required material.
October 26th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Ms J. It would appear that they are actually playing to a certain audience – they are discouraging certain types of people – “coloreds” perhaps – from applying. I’ve seen that trick before. In an era where you aren’t allowed freedom of association you sometimes have to use ghetto repellant to keep the undesirables from coming onto your property in the first place which avoids the silly claims of discrimination.
What you are seeing on their website is ghetto repellant. It’s not shocking, it’s actually quite charming. I suspect they are actually quite interested in getting black enrollment. If they can actually find the qualified black students they are in the market for, they probably roll out the red carpet in a hurry. I’ve seen that happen in certain employment situations where only rarely to they see a black candidate that has what is required.
October 27th, 2011 at 6:48 am
I agree that there needs to be a “little digging”. I am almost positive that once the district or other entity dig below the surface on this guy, it will be the rattling of a bee hive! He will begin to spin and the school will be exposed.
October 27th, 2011 at 8:09 am
AIPCS parent – do your research. There was a clear plan to open up to grades lower than 5th.
October 27th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
PoohBear:
Absolutely…. there is a plan to open lower grades… but to say that there is no approval to operate any elementary school classes is misinformed. They do currently have approval for an elementary school.
October 27th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
A few years ago, a Lincoln Elementary staff member told me that a lot of the parents from that school are used to their kids being sheltered from the other cultures in Oakland (their attitude and his words, not mine). They want to send their kids to AIPCS II, so the bubble they experienced at Lincoln can continue. For those particular parents, Westlake Middle School is too unknown and scary.
Ben Chavis understands this mindset and is taking advantage of it to the max. He likes to profess that his students are “inner city” and knows that outsiders will presume that they are poor, neglected ghetto kids to whom he is subjecting his AIM “miracle” — not Asian children with Tiger moms, and brown-skinned children with similarly-minded parents (e.g. a local principal who also chose AIPCS over OUSD’s middle schools). It wasn’t long after Chavis took the helm of the original AIPCS school in the Laurel District that the school’s demographics started to change dramatically, obviously they were being engineered (this observation was included in the rationale for why OUSD denied approval of Chavis’ last charter application, a denial that set off his infamous temper).
http://www.ibabuzz.com/education/2008/10/30/denied-new-american-indian-charter-school/
At any rate, Chavis’ efforts resulted in the school’s dramatic API rise. Of course this was assisted by a powerful “peer effect,” the complete dominance over, and elimination of, non-compliant students; as well as constant test practice during longer school days, weekends and summertime.
The fears of Lincoln’s parents just presented Chavis with another local market of students to exploit, as well as monthly per pupil funding so he can pay off the mortgage of his building @ Madison & 12th St., the location of the school. His friend, Jorge Lopez, apparently gets to take a cut as the property manager.
http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/questions-sink-two-schwarzenegger-board-education-appointees-1165
This farce goes on and on and on. OUSD can say they oversee a Blue Ribbon school and everyone’s happy. Arguments about how it isn’t quite right can be made until you’re blue in the face, but the lies have been told, the myth is perpetuated, and few people care enough to press anyone to do a deeper investigation. Charlatan is the word that comes to mind for charter school operators of a certain ilk.
October 27th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
I am somewhat familiar with AIPCS although my kids don’t go there. I know that the founder was, and continues to be, very controversial. But as a parent I want my kids to go to a school where the non-compliant kids are either kicked out or brought into line. Too many times I’ve seen an entire classroom lose precious time because of kids acting out. So I understand why those Lincoln parents (mentioned in the post above) seek school environments that are conducive to learning. Why is this such a bad thing? What I think is bad is that teachers don’t get enough resources and support to deal with the disruptive kids which ruin it for all. I know people don’t like Chavez and his antics, but as a parent I like the idea of my kids being in an environment without the problems kids. Is this unrealistic?
October 27th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Ousd Parent,
Respect,manners, and discipline have gone by the wayside in the last few decades. It comes right from the parents, who are the children’s first teacher and role model. I feel the same way that you do on this subject. I took notice of speakers during public comment at the school board meeting and I heard several statements ranging from “just get the money from the state” to “there is no equity” , and all I could think is “how do we get money that the taxpayers don’t have”. I seriously don’t think these people have any idea of what it takes to earn money and then have it confiscated for redistribution so people can be supported cradle to grave. This entitlement attitude just permeates the fabric of some communities.
October 27th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
OUSD Parent:
I believe the founder of American Indian Public Charter School was not Ben Chavis. Maybe some one knows that history. But when Ben Chavis became principal he was able to move the school’s curriculum away from American Indian culturally centered charter school and changed the school’s emphasis to a test prep orientation.
As for an environment without problem kids, most schools have that as one of their goals; but, some feel that subjecting students to harsh discipline is not acceptable in a public school. That attitude of a band on corporal punishment is in the education code. But, then again, charter schools are only accountable to parts of the education code. I don’t know, but assume they must conform to that part of the Education Code.
Jim Mordecai
October 27th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Does it matter if you agree with Chavis’s old-school approach to education? This is not about discipline or mistreating visitors. It is about a fool who is willing to disrupt the lives and educations of hundreds of little kids with a failed scheme to open a new school in the middle of the year. Combined with the fact that Old Man Chavis can’t finish a sentence without spewing vulgarities convinces me that he is unfit to lead an elementary school.
October 27th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
OUSD Parent:
I still don’t know who founded AIPCS but according to Wikipedia it was charted in 1996 and Dr. Ben Chavis became principal in 2001.
Wikipedia provides the following on the school’s discipline and indicates that the school’s more controversial discipline action left with Dr. Chavis. That leads to the question as to whether the controversy will return with Dr. Chavis’ return?
AIPCS disciplinary procedures are in line with the California Education Code.
Students who are disruptive, submit incomplete work, or misbehave in other ways
are assigned an hour of detention after school. If the student commits a second
infraction in the same week, he or she will get an additional hour of detention
and four hours of Saturday School.
Other discipline is more unorthodox. For example, Chavis, with parental permission, shaved the head of a student accused of stealing in front of the entire school, forced a girl to clean the boys’ bathroom as punishment, and forced some students to wear embarrassing signs[12].
Not all AIPCS staff adhere to the methods used by Chavis[2], and with his departure, some of the more unorthodox disciplinary methods have been eliminated or toned down[12].
The numbers refer to foot notes found under the Wikipedia article.
Jim Mordecai
October 28th, 2011 at 8:17 am
Has OUSD contacted his board? Why did the board bring him back?
I met John Glover the former leader who Chavis replaced, and was surprised that AIPCS finally had an honest and dynamic leader.But perhaps Thats why he was replaced – he was honest!
I think that Chavis will fall hard soon and the school will then do more to hamper the charter school movement. His truest controversies are yet to come out.
October 29th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
AIPCS was going to open a K-5, for Dr. Chavis’s children and everyone else, but now it’s postponed.
Mr. Glover wasn’t fired, he quit to open Alpha School.
Kevin
October 29th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
AIPCS was NOT founded by Dr. Chavis. He took it over 10 years ago because it was a failing school with a 400 API. Since then, the API is now nearly 1000.
October 30th, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Jim Mordecai – Wikipedia is your source of information? How outdated. Why don’t you walk into a classroom and see exactly what is being taught. Take a look at the curriculum. Don’t say “test prep orientation” – that’s only one month before the CST. It’s an insult to the teachers and students.
In Oakland, we need to go back to old school methods, starting in elementary. I’m tired of seeing wasted potential because we care about student feelings over education and respect.
AIPCS Parent – I get you’re proud of the school AND Dr. Chavis. Trust me, even as a parent, you are an outsider at the school and kept in the dark. You’re used as another tool to promote Chavis. Stop confusing concepts. The school is a haven, but Chavis is power and money hungry.
October 31st, 2011 at 12:07 pm
The picture says it all!
October 31st, 2011 at 12:26 pm
OK, so it is the 31st, has there been any sign of a new elementary school opening? Does anyone know what the Bellavista parents were told by AIPCS since they had already informed their school that they would be withdrawing their children? Any updates?
October 31st, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I can absolutely confirm that I saw a classroom-sized group of 6-10 year old students being led by their PE Teacher from Lincoln Square Park back towards AI this morning. They were wearing Khaki pants with white tops (AI uniform dress).
October 31st, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Ben Chavis does all of this because there is something terribly wrong with him. He enjoys frightening children and he enjoys creating fearful employees. Take a look at the turnover rate since Mr. John Glover left and Ben Chavis returned. After having done a lot of digging myself, it is clear that Ben is making a ton of money from AIPCS, AiPCS II, and AIPHS and has been all along. I wouldn’t send my child to any school he is associated with. I will never subject my child to his disgusting behavior again.
October 31st, 2011 at 10:37 pm
There was another recent purge of leaders that coincided with his return. I really hope the district steps in to protect students, families, and taxpayer dollars. Anyone can get results using his approach. Just go in and ask the students at his middle or high schools about their experience. Not so happy, and unable to transfer. The only miracle is that he is still in business. Give him a blue ribbon for that.
November 1st, 2011 at 7:00 am
Summer: While I hear your point – maybe you haven’t had to choose between no future for your child and a future with good options.
You speak as if fear in a child – or an employee for that matter – is such a terrible thing. How about fear in a parent? fear their child will be a victim (rape, dv, murder), will become homeless, will become addicted (like his bio-Dad, uncle, grandfather or other relatives). Maybe you don’t work with a “victim” population. Got news for you, victims typically bring it on themselves nowadays. And it starts early. The wrong thoughts, the wrong associations, the wrong “choices” (love that term). The wrong behavior. The difference between “victim” and being self sufficient emotionally and economically is discipline. That’s the product Chavis sells that is a hot commodity in the marketplace.
When the public schools can match his wares we won’t need him.
Oh, and another thing – some people need discipline a lot more than others. Some people are more at risk for homelessness and chronic unemployment that others. So the choices their parents make are not the same as your prince or princess. Your kids, or some of them, or most of them, may not need what AIM sells.
Viva the free market. No one is forced to go to that school. And believe me there are some schools far less comfortable. Locked facilities. I know a bay area black family that paid dearly to send a child away to one.
So what you are complaining about is relative.
The fact that you don’t need this for your child means little to me and others who decide they do need it.
Have you known a child of wealthy prominent blacks who died of a heroin OD in the early 20′s? How about such children winding up in State Prison in the early 20′s? And they had the material things in life. Now imagine being minority – black and brown – and raising kids without lots of money and friends to try and save adolescents with attitudes (or temptations)? To them Chavis, the Nuns, and all the other high control high discipline schools are an option they can thoughtfully choose.
It’s not as simple as you portray it no matter what you think of Chavis.
November 1st, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Ben Chavis is a business man no doubt. His buildings, his philosophy, and his way- bottom line.
When the deal on his second building on 35th and Magee closed he said it real clear then….he is a landlord.
As for his schools, I have a hard time believeing that he is back in charge. Why would he be? It would make no sense for him to collect checks and run the show.Someone perhaps was not happy at their direction and brought him in to be a figure head.
Other than that, why would he return to this crap?
November 1st, 2011 at 4:08 pm
On October 31st, Chavis opened a PreK/K and 5th grade since that is what he could get away with. His original plans had to be scrapped due to ______________. It does make sense for him to be in charge…he’s always been in charge of the finances. Now he can be both landlord and CEO… he’s personally involved…it’s his revenue.
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:54 am
Wait…he opened a Pre K, Kindergarten and 5th grade on Halloween? Is this true? If that’s so, OUSD Charter Schools Office are a bunch of do nothing paper pushers with no bite!
How could they let him cut through all the red tape, and not others. If I ran a charter school, I would push back against the district and use this as a precedent.
Man OUSD are nothing but figure heads.Why are they still funded?
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:58 am
Personally spoke to the adult leader in charge of the group yesterday…the name of the program is “Little Hands”, which is being operated as a “Day Program”, since the school did not get approval.
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:07 am
Little Green Hands I bet.
This guy is obviously dirty and committing some underhanded stuff. I would like to know who is the schools board, treasurer and CFO? Obviously they know the details of this guy’s practice.
Do they know they are liable-or are they cohorts in the operation?
Inquiring minds demand to know!
November 3rd, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Katy,
The fact that a new 5th grade class opened on Oct. 31st seems like a pretty big deal. It sounds like the school was authorized to teach to 5th graders given the comments above, however, I wonder how many students are actually in their new 5th grade, and from which schools they came. There was concern in one of the comments above that a good number of Bellavista’s students had planned to transfer to the new American Indian Public Charter. Is there any way you could sleuth this information out?
November 3rd, 2011 at 5:30 pm
I promise to check into this, and I’m sorry I haven’t yet. It’s been a surreal week, between Occupy Oakland and newsroom layoffs, but I promise I’ll be an education reporter again soon. Maybe even tomorrow!
November 7th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
His wife does the accounting for the school/properties. Who is on the board?
November 7th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
I didn’t find a current listing of board members on American Indian’s website, but a parent handbook last updated in June of 2009 lists five board members (but no contact info). It also looks like the board meets — or used to meet — just twice a year, in June and December.
OUSD confirmed that American Indian did start up a fifth-grade in October. Troy Flint, the district’s spokesman, said a fifth grade class was permitted under the school’s charter.
Here are the board members listed in the 2009-10 parent handbook.
Atiba S. Thomas – President, Educator
Chiu Hing – Secretary, Parent
Rubert Lupe – Business Owner/White Mountain Apache Tribe
Nathan Robles – Community Member/Former Student
Edgar Cervantes – Current Student
November 7th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
First of all- the school must have some value. Those are smart kids.
However, if it is true that his wife is the accountant for the schools/buildings, and that he owns the buildings , what does that tell you about the Board of Directors? Cmon! Who would jeapordize their own reputations and assests for this guy? The Board will ultimately carry the burden of shady business dealings and practices as they are the stewards of our public dollars. This is a slam dunk case right?
I mean there are so many conflicts in this school, one must think if there is anything on the up and up!Jeeez…
So if the information Katy and Anon gave is correct, it is easy. Where are board meetings held? December is right around the corner.
November 8th, 2011 at 8:48 am
While it would be nice for AIM to be run like Apple Corp complete with their cash reserves, you actually presume we care.
All the families who enroll their kids care about is the education (added value) AIM is imparting to the kids. Chavis can keep the money.
Liberals really don’t get it about open markets sometimes. People didn’t care about Clinton and Monica either – they were in for the Clinton administration for specific things that did not include refraining from cheating on Hillary. Sure we’d like people to do the right thing and get along with their wives, but you know, it’s optional sometimes.
And in the school settings – do you think the Catholic families didn’t know that the Nuns and Priests were not exactly a healthy lifestyle? They put up with it for the tangible benefit the Catholic Grade Schools gave over the public schools – even in the 1960s when the public schools were vastly better than now. Of course they took a calculated risk their own child wouldn’t get raped. Usually it worked out just fine.
Back to my point. Liberals have judgment problems by definition and are especially weak in understanding the flow of ANY free market. The substitute and project their own momentary values on others so strongly they cannot envision contrary thought.
I think conservatives are far more pragmatic – and we don’t have to pretend all that nonsense about liking everybody if we don’t.
November 8th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
That’s great about the truthfulness of the free market capitalists- only problem is , they are not in charge of public education are they?
If this were a free market, and Chavis its hero…then why does he need to steal public dollars to pay for his building? If he owns the facilties, then doesnt the state charter school facility (which is a form of welfare) dollars go to pay his buildings?
If this were a free market…wouldnt the district be able to consume all of these charters with market share alone?Not so free in the market is he?
Conservatives may not get it about liberals either.Public Schools is their free market (up to this point) and they control the rhetorice. So much so that they make the rules for the most part.
In Liberal land….Chavis is a crook that merits an all out investigation. In Conservative Never never land, he is a hero.By pointing out the way things SHOULD be is not the same as THE WAY IT IS.
November 8th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Catholic schools work, but they have less problems without the dirty priest.
Banks work, until they collapse because of a dirty CEO who knew the true value of CDO’s.
The school runs(and publicly looks like a glowing success..), until OUSD investigates. Well, you know nothing will happen because I just said the words “OUSD investigates.”
November 8th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
The AIPCS board is out of date. The meetings haven’t been posted since the board elected Chavis as COO because that was what Glover was. Then his title somehow changed to CEO.
November 8th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Is Laura Armstrong facing any consequences from this? What is going on with EOLA?
November 8th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
I don’t think so. She hasn’t responded to my messages, though.
November 8th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Anon: The Catholic Schools (where children were raped) as well as the major banks (Such as WaMu and BofA) both rotted because of corrupt central authority that were able – allowed to – escape criminal & civil consequences.
I would argue that in both instances these institutions were not exactly specimens of free markets. It was fun while it lasted, though.
I’m not giving them or AIM a complete pass. I am saying that their clients had other choices and made a calculated choice to use the particular institution because the alternatives were less appealing. It will always be so when the public schools are “schools” in name only.
And as I’ve said before – homeschooling and the internet are huge gamechangers that are only beginning to enter the fray. We will see the rise of internet primary and secondary schools beyond anything experienced yet.
November 8th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Does anyone know how many 5th graders are at the school that began on Halloween? Also, is it true that there was a Kindergarten started by EOLA?
The board of directors angle is easy as someone mentioned. When is the meeting? There should be a posting of at least 48 hours (I may be wrong).
Katy do you know who is on their board and when and where the meeting is to take place? I would like to go and see that spectacle!
This guy is a clown. I saw Stossel this past weekend and the looks and mannerisms of this guy makes you want to hate him! Kids doing push ups as punishments – it was all for the camera!
I would choose the internet over this guy!
November 8th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
I support quality schools. The API score is just one indicator. It is by no means the only indicator. Go visit the schools. The AIPCS schools are a sham, and are an example of how people take advantage of public dollars and relaxed accountability. In a city like Oakland, a high API will get you medals. Stay for awhile. Talk to students. Not so nice now.
He (Chavis) will continue until the district, county, or state step in to shake him down. Until then, he will fill schools with a select demographic that knows no better. Not a criticism, but a reality. Sorry. He will have the last laugh until his practices are exposed. That day is coming soon. Oakland will be a better place.
November 8th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Its starting too smell like a dead rat!
Is it true that his wife is the CFO? Katy have you heard about that?
I guess the spotlight should be on his Board of Directors right about now since they oversee the program.
Maybe Ms. Armstrong from EOLA is on it? Man this is getting so predictable.
November 8th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
BTW EOLA and AIPCS 2 are in their renewal years. Lets see what the ousd charter office can do.
EOLA is not even that good and BTW have you seen their website….damn! might as well not have one .
November 9th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
What can OUSD do to AIPCS 2? It’s a school that provides rigor and discipline for those that want it. They just need to get rid of the rat.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
You’ll miss the BOD meeting. Chavis controls / coordinates them. Always has. The call in number has never been published. Also, the location says Magee or downtown, but he calls in from another location. Maybe outsiders should ask beforehand….protocol says you need to submit a card 24 hrs before the mtg.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Great information!
November 9th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Doesn’t matter. Everything happens behind closed doors anyway
November 9th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
I herd the teachers kick out the low students, prep their students during the state test and get extra $$ for it.
The teachers don’t have any experience teaching before they are hired at the school and he puts preasure on students for high test scores.
The teachers and administration need to be looked into at this school. The charter schools are cheating and taking money from public schools.
November 9th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
1. Focus, people. Don’t confuse Chavis with hard working teachers and students.
2. Actually, teachers routinely stay until 6 pm to help those that were stunted by OUSD and attend Saturday school WITHOUT PAY and without a raise.
3. There isn’t anything wrong with pressure. There is something wrong with Chavis.
3. It’s pretty easy to teach when math class lasts 2 hours.
4. Look at where years of experience has gotten OUSD. Your argument is weak.
5. Teachers don’t kick kids out – parents decide their precious babies can’t handle the rigor or discipline. It is a strict school that is culturally disconnected from much of Oakland.
November 10th, 2011 at 1:48 am
1.He hires young people with no teacher training.
2.He will not allow teachers to join the OEA.
3.He focuses on enrolling the Asian students.
4.You blame the parents for the student who are kicked out of the school.
I agree there is “something wrong with Chavis” and teachers for what they are doing to students,parents, and tax payers in Oakland. They should all be fired, and close the school.
November 10th, 2011 at 6:37 am
Do some research on the school, Mick. I can’t really respond to someone that doesn’t have his or her facts straight. Anyway, your issues above ( which aren’t issues if the statements prove to be irrelevant or untrue) are taking the spotlight off a crook.
November 10th, 2011 at 9:19 am
As long as the families keep taking their kids there, Chavis and AIM will endure.
Now why is that a problem? When the students and their families are sufficiently unhappy they will re-enroll in OUSD. As if that day will come.
Move to another charter would be more likely, or homeschool, or internet school. Either way, it’s their decision not that of the critics who can’t stand Chavis.
Rather than whine about AIM the critics had better watch the rise of the internet schools – they will be the biggest threat to urban district status quo. Remember, they don’t have to take all or most of the students. They only have to take a block of the key constituients. OUSD is already down to what % of white students? How much longer before the upwardly mobile black and brown students simply refuse to consider enrolling there because the whites are gone? Now it’s a glorified continuation school? At what point will OUSD on a resume or job application result in it being thrown in the trash? Is that already happening?
OUSD needs to change it’s ways and out Charter the Charters. OUSD needs to open an exclusive elite/competitive application-only campus with no racial minimums and no AA. At least one. A Lowell High without AA.
November 10th, 2011 at 11:32 am
Mick- obviously you are attempting to distract! I agree with Poohbear….Focus people….Chavis owns the buildings, he is the CEO, and his wife the CFO?
Where is the board information Katy…I know there are other things pressing, but could you please get us that information?
As for internet schools; daycare costs money. Parent who work will rise up aganist that.
November 10th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
I’m working on it! If anyone has any info, please send me an email at kmurphy@bayareanewsgroup.com.
November 10th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Nextset, I have taught several children whose families left AIM. Again, you talk without on the ground knowledge.
A student who has excelled at our school in academic extracurriculars and grades, and will be going to a top 4-year-college, has told me that he was humiliated every day by adults at AIM. By the end, they were just keeping him in detention all day (this is a very mild-mannered kid who has had no behavior problems here) so that his Chinese parents would finally pull him out.
Why did they do this? Because he was different — shy and a bit spacy. He has flowered at our school.
I think AIM has some very real and valid things to say about education — particularly that we in education and society are looking for magic bullets for a problem that ultimately required great self-sacrifice on the part of students, teachers and parents.
On the other hand, AIM is frighteningly in love with itself, and unable to admit its excesses. To read their FAQ is to see a glimpse of smug megalomania. They say they never expel students but refuse to admit that they drum families and kids out, through harassment and intimidation — something public schools are restrained from doing with all but the most dangerous students, who they still must pay to educate.
November 10th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
His wife isn’t the CFO. She is the accountant. AIM schools employs her for more than fair market value. It will be difficult for outsiders to receive board information, unless you directly enter 171 12th St.
November 10th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Phoobear,
If you do your “research” you will see that the teachers are young with no teaching experience, and the students are mostly Asian. This is a “fact” according to the CDE data on the school.
Chavis and Lopez at Oakland Charter Academy go way back!! Sounds like they hire the wivies, girl friends family and crooks. More reasons to close these charter schools.
November 11th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Let’s be clear. The original post pertained to Ed code violations from Chavis. That is my issue. If we focus on this, perhaps this discussion can ecome productive. Yes, teachers are hired without experience and somehow manage to get through the curriculum efficiently. What’s your point? We’re in Oakland! If ya haven’t noticed, parents are sick of underperforming schools. Is it for everybody? No! Why even bring up OEA? Unions go against the model and in some cases have hindered school performance. Those that work at the school are pretty anti-union anyway. An update on this situation would be nice. Yeah, who doesn’t know about Chavis and Lopez? He (Lopez) had to step down from a state appointed position because his finances were not in order. Did OUSD follow up on that?
November 11th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Yeah, downtown is Asian. It’s in China town. It would be interesting to see Lincoln elementary vs aipcs 2. Keep in mind tiger mothers follow the API. The school’s application process seems hidden, even to staff. You would need to prove he is choosing certain kids over others. I haven’t heard any talk of him doing this and I have never seen evidence of this. It doesnt really make sense to cherry pick..it makes more sense for him to stuff classrooms after school starts for more money ( which is what is done). Teachers staying late + canned curriculum = results. I mean, if there is talk about opening a school for young black boys, does it bother you that AIPCS 2 is filled w Asians? I don’t need to do research… I just end up engaging those that ignorantly lump the schools and Chavis into one evil entity.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:26 am
Didnt Gary Yee’s wife work for the district while he served on the board?
Just curious….
November 17th, 2011 at 11:49 am
In a SF Chronicle report last year, Lincoln Elementary school had 77% of it’s graduating class of 5th grade students leaving OUSD…with the majority of those going to AIPCS2. In the past three years or so, no less than 50% of the Lincoln graduates went to AIPCS2.
What do they say about real estate, as it relates to business? Location, Location, Location…
December 4th, 2011 at 8:07 am
There are plenty of good models which fail when replication is attempted. I believe AIPCS stands out in the small set of charter schools who seem to have figured it out. Much of they are about is nothing more than old fashioned and proven tactics (i.e. holding students back, keeping students and teacher together, etc.).
The concerns with AIPCS are not with the model but rather with the leadership, most specifically the Board of Directors, who seem to be very hands off, and Ben Chavis, who, while he authored the Charter and is solely responsible for creating, is conflicted in his role(s) and ultimately will cause it to fail. There are real concerns over mis-use of his position to manipulate and grasp much of the funds for himself and his family.
The AIPCS Board of directors, if it functions like a legitimate Board should, is responsible for stewardship of the AIPCS model. This would include full transparency, visibility into all activities, particularly leadership and financials. Not being above board with date, time and location of board meetings gives the impression that there is an air or mystery – something to hide.
Several points of concern:
- Any Board that meets only twice a year, is not actively involved or engaged, and depends entirely on those they have put in key executive / admin roles. For Ben Chavis to come back would imply that what was in place was not working, HOWEVER, there are other questions that any responsible board would be asking.
- Ben Chavis, the person who created the AIPCS model (which DOES and IS worth replicating) will be the very detriment to it successfully growing. His known behavior of a very controlling, dictatorial style accompanied by an anger management problem will not work. This behavior may have worked in doing the hard things required for the first school and getting the model established, however, to describe him as a business many is partially true. He is a business man when it comes to his personal real estate business / finances, but does not appear to have the knowledge, maturity or polish to formally establish and lead a business that requires more than himself to oversee.
- The questions that need to be asked, and the ones I would think the AIPCS Board would want to understand are the following. (Though if Ben’s style is everything that it appears to be, combined with a Board that only meets twice a year, they may only be a Board on paper and nothing more.). CONFLICT OF INTEREST and Boards who look the other way (or support) undermines even the biggest and best organizations.
o His wife as accountant. WHO made this hiring decision? WHO determined her salary? WHO does her performance evaluations? When looking at the pattern of turnover of the rest of the AIPCS staff, this seems to be the only position that has not changed? Curious to say the least. While she is not the CFO, as the accountant, given that there is NO CFO, she IS the single person responsible for the $$’s. With Ben’s overbearing style as both boss and husband, how affective is she really?
o Has there even been an audit of the books by an external third party?
o What about separation of duties? This is something that all auditors look closely at where money is involved with any type of corporation.
- How many roles DOES Ben Chavis have? He has been brought back in the capacity of CEO (or whatever the main title is) and completely in charge which raise significant concerns around his ultimate motives and conflicts of interest. He is the AIPCS CEO and also the Landlord (don’t forget his wife is the ‘accountant’? WHO makes the facilities decisions? WHAT was the process in choosing HIS building? How many other properties were evaluated? WHO negotiated the lease, terms and rent? The only answer to this is Ben Chavis – he negotiated with himself – is this even legal? It certainly isn’t ethical.
- It is the above that should be scruitinized and questioned as, between Ben and his wife, they remain squarely at the table where the money is concerned.
I believe the AIPCS model is good and could be replicated across the country, but do not see happening under the current management. If the Board is not questioning these things then they are equally guilty of allowing a husband and wife team to take a large portion of the money for themselves thru abuse of their position (Ben’s salary, wife’s salary, rent).
December 4th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Cranky: Look at my post #64. I tend to agree with the Chavis detractors that he and his school will burn themselves out eventually. believe me I’ve seen it happen – where are the old Negro Schools with their Dictatorial Principals today? What did happen to Dunbar School? Can any such school survive beyond the personality on the driving force in their prime? And some of these people get quite nutty in their old age. Part of their problem is inability to delegate and inability to run a business – anything beyond their own arm’s reach. And I’m describing some relatives of mine.. Things were fine while the going was good and they didn’t have to adapt to competition or changing times.
I’m getting off thread. Cranky – I agree with a lot of what you are saying and your handling of the Chinese kid. One size does not fit all. BUT – we know from experience that at least with the black kids, permissiveness and a romper room climate gets you nowhere. Authoritatianism works great with them. Especially in that period when you are getting them ready for military, industry and higher education. We know from experience.
I’m not talking about neverending direct supervision. By Authoritarianism I do mean a hierarchy, a chain of command, rules. Rules with teeth. Serious Discipline and Deportment.
And from what I know of the HBCs, authoriarianism probably needs to continue through undergrad until you have some of the students ready to takeover themselves as authority figures. I am not a fan of democracy actually. Certainly not for children and those who function as children. The HBCs are no longer known for strong discipline and deportment – such as that portrayed in the Tv series “A Different World”. So I hear anyway. They used to be run as black finishing schools. Oh Well..
So back to Chavis and AI. When it no longer meets the requirements of the constituient families they will go elsewhere. They will vote with their feet. I make no warranty that the books are balanced or anything else. If OUSD was worth anything like it was in the 1960s we wouldn’t be having this conversation because everybody would want to be at Oakland Tech and Oakland High, etc. Chavis and the other Chavis’ only exist because of the failures of the District. If OUSD wanted to start running real schools AI would fade away.
I suppose I still hope OUSD could change. Start up a Lowell High. Fat Chance I suppose. First thing they’d do is impose race quotas and limit flunking.
December 6th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Can you confirm that the APICS charter renewal is on the Dec. 14 Public Hearing agenda, and if it includes additional grades?
December 12th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
I doubt anyone follows this anymore, but Dr. Chavis is holding a meeting now 11 AM 12/12/11. The agenda was posted this morning according to students, and there is no call in number. The address is 171 12th Street. I wonder what the game plan is for him to steal more money. In the past, board members call in from other locations and teachers are discouraged from participation. How come such a high performing school has secret board meetings? Can anyone post the next available board meeting dates, since it is legally required to be announced? We need reporters and lawyers there. Nobody can be barred from a publicly funded school or meeting, but he along with current board members do this so that decisions can be made without any attention.
December 12th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Who is in charge at the three schools ? Who is the new director? We need more contact info. Why are they choosing to work there? Searching for contac info now
December 12th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
http://www.ousd.k12.ca.us/199410818193832733/lib/199410818193832733/Charter_School_Contacts_2011-2012_Rev._8.29.pdf
Nicole Merino (Director – TBD)
171 12th St. 94607 (510) 893‐8701 ext. 7 F: (510) 482‐6002
4) American Indian Public High School (9‐12)
Claudia Walker (Director – TBD)
3626‐3628 35th Ave. 94602 (510) 482‐6000 F: (510) 482‐6002
Second Location: 171 12th St. 94607
Who is in charge of Magee campus?
December 12th, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Did they get anything other than a slap on the wrist for trying to open on 10/31/11? Does that action penalize them for opening next Fall?
December 12th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
How is it going to look if OUSD tries to close down its #1 school?
The board is a joke. It can’t be objective if everyone on the board works with Chavis or owes him something. I’m beyond irritated the board meeting was held without sufficient public notice. The school opens at 8 and the meeting was held at 11? You’ve got to be kidding me.
December 12th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Director,
I googled Laura Armstrong American Indian and found this:
http://books.google.com/books?id=GJG2O78xdbkC&pg=PT22&dq=laura+armstrong+american+indian&hl=en&ei=cdfmTuijNZOAsgLv5tDnCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=book-preview-link&resnum=1&ved=0CD4QuwUwAA#v=onepage&q=laura%20armstrong%20american%20indian&f=false
Chavis speaking:
“Over time, the AIPCS board became a really helpful and supportive force that allowed us to turn the school around. Between 2001 and 2003, I had an excellent board consisting of the following members… Dr. Robert Cooter and Dr. Laura Armstrong, advisors to the board…”
She is still closely tied with Chavis if she was mentioned in his book. I’m wondering what personal incentives or kickbacks were discussed when initially agreeing to open another branch of EOLA in his 171 12th St property. What was she promised?
I’ve seen multiple teachers enter and exit 171 12 St. When asked, they say they work in an elementary school. Who is running Little Hands? Are they credentialed? Why cannot I find them online? I can see through this school he has downstairs tenants. The high school is downstairs with the elementary school. Are high schoolers allowed to share space with preK and 5th grade students? Is this a public or private school? I’m pretty sure when she is investigated Chavis will claim no knowledge of the situation and throw her under the bus.
December 13th, 2011 at 6:57 am
If it was held- then so be it. Its within the law right? How come all you detractors or complainers just simply go to the meeting? And show your blogging face!!!!
To me it seems that many of you have a problem with him and not the school.
If it was me- id just go.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:51 am
You don’t seem to get the point. If it was posted at 8 am with a sign that said 2 PM and then was crossed out to read 11 am, how could we have gone? How could we have listened if there was no call in number?
Miles, you’re slow.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:54 am
http://www.thefirstamendment.org/brownact.html
December 13th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Mike, you are right, there is a problem with him and not the school. The question is WHEN is someone going to investigate. OUSD shouldn’t close their #1 performing school, they should address the problem. Read above and you will see a long list of things that need to be addressed. This may be their #1 ‘performing’ school but it is not a ‘#1 school’. As long as Chavis is there, it is not worth your breath to talk to anyone (Director, Principle, Teachers, Accountant (his wife), Board, etc. They are all handpicked by him). The reason he hires young, is so he can tell them what to think and do. If they don’t conform he fires them or brow beats into submission. As for why these people stay, according to Chavis’s own claim on the recent Stossel show, “they are paid very well”. Where else can smart, young un-experienced people find a job with these salaries. They work there for the money and are loyal to him for these reasons. In reality he is a dictator who has zero tolerance for anyone who questions or opposes him. It would be interesting to see how he would handle having to answer to some of the above questions. Past behavior would indicate he would explode and resign which is his way of avoiding coming clean.
High performing school, YES and certainly worth carrying forward, but not with Chavis. The AIPCS Board should put leadership in place that can carry the forward without dependence on any one person.
One has to wonder what is internally wrong with Chavis. He appears to genuinely care for the students but is clearly accustomed to making his own rules and doing things his own way. The end results do speak for themselves but do not justify the means. It seems a game to him that he enjoys. What kind of lesson is he teaching his students, his teachers (who are really students or understudies)?
He needs to take credit for what has been done and go back into retirement to do whatever it was that he was doing before he returned. He is too conflicted to stay: CEO (who is NOT donating his salary this time), Landlord, ‘in bed’ with the accountant, controls the board. The public is funding quite a lot beyond the school.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:31 am
Anon, Thank you for posting yesterday about the meeting. Clearly, the lack of notice thwarted those people who otherwise would have attended this meeting.
Miles, Many people are interested in this school and some have even made their intention to attend the board meetings known on this blog.
Katy, How can people find out what transpired yesterday, and do they have any recourse to have the meeting repeated, if they did not give proper notice? How would we find out if proper notice was given? To whom would one submit a complaint within the district should they be inclined?
December 13th, 2011 at 11:57 am
…so Im slow- product of the finest instituion in the world- OUSD.
But Anon- youre a coward! I guess that why your name is “Anon”- on a blog site.
I dont think highly of the guy, im just saying …..if you know what is going on then go see to it…That is all!
December 13th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
TKL: I’ve read your post above. What I can’t understand is how you think all you say is a bad thing.
Granted you don’t like dictators – but so what?
One doesn’t start a business – or a school – and run it as a collective or a democracy. You sound like we are just expected to assume autocracy is bad. Well, no. OUSD is bad, at least it has very bad stats. AIM doesn’t. The fact that AIM runs it schools like a slave plantation is interesting (assuming that’s even true) but not illegal. The Catholic Schools I went to were not run as democracies either and they were taking orders from people/person who claimed they got orders from God. While I know that is not a sign of a healthy mind – I’d enroll kids there anyway when the alternative is OUSD or any other slum “school”.
In other words – it’s their school take it or leave it. They don’t HAVE to do anything your way.
Get it?
Now as far as using public treasury money to run the cult school or whatever you make of it. We do have an Education Code and a body of case law that says what cannot be permitted in these schools. If you are accusing AIM of violation of law, please cite the code section you contend is being violated. So we can follow your logic.
There is a danger Charter Schools may degenerate into Iranian Schools, Cult Schools, Black Panther Schools, or any other type of Public Enemy Schools. But AIM, in Chavis’ wildest moments, hasn’t been accused of going that far (as to be operated in an anti-social way). At least not yet.
So your post sounds like whining to me at least at this point and with what you are accusing them of. Granted the stage is arguably set for some REAL illegality. I believe you are right in what you are saying that he has created conditions that historically lead to illegal immoral and unwholesome behaviors and cover-ups… kind of like the Penn State Athletic Department. Or maybe like Synanon, or the Catholic Church. Conditions you describe is how stepping over the line occurs and is covered up. Crazy can become normal and flourish.
I’ll give you that. BUT it hasn’t happened yet and the kiddies do go home to their parent every day who can question them about what is going on. If AIM were a boarding school I’d be more concerned.
But for now – AIM is a reaction to OUSD and it’s problems. The students and families can and will walk out the minute they see a better school.
December 13th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Nextset: Well, it seems that you need to re-read my post so that you can ‘get’ my point. You seem to have missed it altogether. I agree fully that AIM is not a bad thing and would like to see it continue successfully. I think I said this. I would hope you could differentiate between whining and raising a flag which is about the character and not the school. What I am asking, is who will investigate the practices that, as you say historically lead to illegal immoral and unwholesome behaviors and cover-ups.. Frankly, until someone does, how does anyone know that the line has not already been crossed.
December 13th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Nextset,
I think you might be able to use the following as an example in regards to the ed code:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cs/ac/documents/csccaaudit.pdf#search=unethical%20fund&view=FitH&pagemode=none pg. 15
TKL isn’t whining. Overpayment and gross mismanagement of funds, along with SERIOUS unethical behavior means there has to be more than a change of leadership and the board. You even touched on it in post #88. How do you know what is going on?
Don’t belittle those that are finally saying something.
Again, the model is great. The school is a haven. The model can be replicated – without Chavis.
December 13th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Well stated PoohBear
December 13th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
TKL: Unless the district has a “Quality control for Charters” office no one will investigate any of this.
AIM will be allowed to continue as they wish until their behavior becomes so acute their students complain and leave. Maybe that will happen, maybe it never will. Or maybe AIM will get so crazy – like Synanon did, like the Catholics did – that something really dramatic will occur and the lawsuits will pile up along with the insurance claims. It seems to be the way of the world.
Since OUSD sees nothing wrong with their own decent into madness I don’t see them working to maintain Quality at the Charters. And the State Government is working it’s own way into collapse (growing welfare and social programs vs fleeing tax base and rising crime).
So I suppose your complaints looked to me like whining, sorry about that. I’m seeing lots of friction as the people have to get used to the new reality that Government is just no longer doing it’s job and services are crashing.
I do agree with you that what you are complaining about at AIM will probably get way out of control and the place will not endure much longer than Chavis can personally be there to hold it all together. I don’t know Chavis or the school – but I know the syndrome well. It doesn’t sound so much like an institution he’s created as a cult of personality. And that never lasts.. Even if at one point they get to be as big as Synanon, Jonestown – or any other of the Bay Area creations.
Here I am comparing a school to a cult…..
Well, the cults did work for awhile each time. The Bay Area was a great hatching place for them.
December 13th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
PoohBear: The minute somebody replicates the classroom sucess of AIM they will have students enrolling. I just wish OUSD would do it first – on a demonstration basis. Kind of like the High School SUmmer Session they used to run at Oakland Tech with UC Berkeley in Charge.
If OUSD would get the political will to do it – they could out-charter the Charters. I think Political Correctness stops them. It’s funny that PC never kept the Oakland Tech Summer School from snapping the whip and being a “real” school. There were no Affirmative Action policies and people were flunked out and thrown out at will. And the students loved it. The hot fresh-baked cinnamon rolls in the morning at the Cafeteria helped a lot.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
@ Nextset: I agree with you. It does seem like OUSD complains a lot about charters and families leaving the district but they won’t make the necessary changes to compete with the increasingly popular charters and the surrounding areas with stronger schools. I don’t get it. If OUSD won’t adapt then it should stop complaining.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Holy Toledo! I haven’t checked this site for a few weeks and am amazed at the length and content of this discussion. It looks like people are finally seeing through the lies and starting to make out the corruption that’s loomed over this school for years. Who knows, maybe the Trib will even produce an investigative piece!
To answer one of the questions above, Martin Waukazoo, executive director of the Native American Health Center, helped establish AIPCS in 1996 in an effort to help OUSD’s Native American students. Evelyn Lamenti of OUSD’s Office of Indian Education knew Chavis from his days at SF State and helped to recruit him in 2001. Apparently the school was a mess and needed to be straightened it up. This article supplies other details:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/beating-a-new-kind-of-drum/Content?oid=1066433
One of Chavis’s friends used to keep a blog (no longer operating) and explained Chavis’s propensity for collecting real estate assets: “When [Chavis] lived in Arziona[sic], he bought a run-down house each summer and fixed it up. When it was all said and done, he ended up with a nice portfolio of real estate.” Chavis didn’t pay himself much when he was at the school because he had his real estate income stream (also probably how he could afford to give his students all those cash rewards).
The blogger-friend also wrote this: “Dr. Chavis’ wife TOLD him he needed to take over and right the ship. He had a responsibility to his fellow Native Americans.” Well that turned out to be a bunch of baloney. Right before Chavis started, the Native American population at the school was 52%. Within a few years it started to rapidly decline, and now it’s about 1%.
The Native American Policy journal even gave the school accolades, back in 2003 when they thought Chavis’s school was actually interested in helping Native American kids.
http://facstaff.uww.edu/mohanp/NAPNNL_F03.html
Little did they know…
December 13th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
P.S. – Someone with the same name as the person who kept the above mentioned blog left a lot of nasty comments here:
http://www.ibabuzz.com/education/2008/11/03/lessons-from-a-small-school-from-the-hood/
Katy admonished him and even Nextset responded to his tirades with: “I am finding your raw emotion distracting. The level of acrimony in your writing is unusual for this blog. You seem to have personal relationships with some of the other people here outside of taking positions on policy.”
This reminds me of apples not falling far from trees.
December 14th, 2011 at 8:42 am
Sharon,
Thanks for that post. Steve Moyer mentioned that he was a real estate advisor. That is now suspect, given the misuse of public funds.
And Lopez probably regrets being in cahoots with Chavis, given the state’s refusal to appoint him. I wonder if his name was on the 171 12th St lease so it wouldn’t look like Chavis was directly misappropriating funds. Gov’t Money —>
AIPCS 2 (Plus Lil Hands and AIPHS in ’11) —> Sun Mgt (Lopez co.) —> Lumbee Properties (Chavis)
December 14th, 2011 at 9:47 am
In reading the latest posts, it is probably true that Chavis “needed to take over the right ship”. This move certainly helped him do quite well for himself. There is a pattern that centers around deception and manipulation for his own purposes.
When he originally took over the school he was able to deflect much by donating his salary back. During this time he established a structure so that he could ‘retire’. With a new board in place and him still a part of it, combined with his wife as accountant for both the school and his properties, he never really left
At this point the real issues seem obvious. It is almost dizzying to try to follow the connections. A warped personality, dictatorial style and managing by intimidation are not illegal. These are not the issues. If everything is on the up and up then Chavis and the Board shouldn’t mind being more open and the opportunity to set things straight.
December 14th, 2011 at 11:01 am
I know for a fact that the board at AIPCS is not a real board- ask any aipcs family member. Last real meeting probably was back in 06. I also know that the school was much better when Chavis ran it in 2006 when my son was there. Since then, I also know that Chavis has fired so many staff members that they now hate him and talk bad about him maybe even here.And the doozy is, that he and Lopez hate each other! The district know this, students know this, and all those connected know this. Some of the students taped Chavis ranting about Lopez and posted brief;y on Youtube.
He got what he wanted- to be the ultimate dictator boss of his own kingdom with no one to answer too.
December 14th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Sharon & Co: All this makes my point of how bad OUSD is and how desperate families are for real schools.
Do you think the Catholic grade Schools were without their drama in the 1960s?
The Families send their kids to schools because with all the drama – the product produced by schools such as AIM and the Catholics are superior. That’s more important for black folks and some others because of the struggle their kids have climbing the ladder and staying on.
Look how easy it would be for OUSD to out Charter the Charters if they would ever try. But they don’t.
If OUSD cared about keeping the franchise they’d open a school across the street from AI that would out-AI AI. At least on a demonstration basis. AI would apparently collapse and that would be that.
Business do it all the time.
And Sharon – you write of Chavis getting rid of the Indian students like that’s a bad thing. You assume that because he’s using the name “Indian” he can’t do whatever he wants. You’re really mistaken. People do whatever they want. Free Country. Who’s going to stop them anyway? Chavis’ antics will continue unless and until the students and the money walk out the door. That’s how business works. Why don’t you complain about something realistic? You’d appear much more credible.
Yesterday I was unfavorably comparing a large medical provider’s customer service to Allstate Insurance. I won’t leave Allstate. It’s a wonder some of these Doctors and Hospitals have paying patients left.
Brave New World!
December 15th, 2011 at 8:51 am
It appears your version of the Brave New World includes not enforcing the law. If it were only antics that would be fine.
December 15th, 2011 at 9:11 am
TKL: Are you nuts? California is flooding the cities with Convicts. Police Departments are wholesale shutting down detective sections. DA’s Offices are cutting back intake to favor “violent crimes only”. Cities are refusing to handle car wrecks and residential burglaries (no photos, no fingerprinting, no service, online reporting only). Government services are on the way out and that includes controlling badly behaved corporations. Small Claims and Civil Courts are talking about shutting down and that includes Divorce Court. They haven’t competely done it yet – things are only slowing steadily. Don’t ever think the public will be told how bad things are going – even by the media who is not exactly publishing news of the deterioration. Drunks, Druggies, & Thugs of all kinds are feeling less inhibited. So good luck at the football game and any large gathering – or on BART.
And you really think the government is going to Police what goes on with the non-profits anymore?
In case you haven’t heard – people sentenced to state prison are being kicked out of the county jails in a month because of overcrowding and the bulk of the impact from the transfer of state prisoners to the counties hasn’t arrived yet. Some may say the crashing of the civil courts is more important – it all is – but these conditions will soon make it vital to limit who you talk to and do business with in any way. Yes, i’m talking about big time discrimination coming. Based on absolutely whatever is a marker for trouble – race, sex, age, zip code, parentage, you name it.
Wake up and smell the coffee. What’s happening to the schools is only a small part of the collapse of California. And then there’s the problem of the open border and the government’s refusal to deport criminal aliens much less those who won’t leave on tourist and student visas.
I’d just love for the students of CA to have the schools systems I did. My family all went to public high schools in the East Bay. But all that is gone, gone, gone.
The Brave New World is here and you’d better start making plans to take care of your own. I didn’t ask for this, but the people of CA sure did with it’s state legislation. Get real and adjust your expectations. These are the good years, things are going to get much worse quickly.
Every Baby Boomer I know has thought now of leaving California – taking their assets and cash flow with them. The weather is the only thing slowing them down.
December 15th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Far from nuts and weary of hearing the above (which is obvious to a 2 year old) used as an excuse for not addressing a known and clear issue.
Tired of this blog and lack of the ability to focus on a problem that should be addressed. It seems that we are also a part of the problem if we actually agree there is a problem but then turn around and support doing nothing because there are other problems too.
Doesn’t make it right in the new or the old world. wrong is wrong…
December 15th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
When is the AIPCS II hearing?
December 17th, 2011 at 9:35 am
The district just wrapped up their site visits there at downtown. Wonder what they found?
I will tell you this-knowing Dr. Chavis- I bet he was not even there. He will allow his staff and wife take the beatings and he will beat them again later! This is known- he yelled and cursed his wife in front of staff and kids before. It doesnt matter though- Dr. Chavis is very smart. He knows how to hide well through and use others (that’s why he and Lopez fought, split and are now enemies).
In the meantime – EOLA will try and open in downtown, Little Hands opens in downtown, and Alpha Charter school is being established in San Jose as an aim school headed by former AIM head John Glover….
guess who is in charge???
January 10th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Sorry if you’re tired of this
AIPCS board mtg Wednesday 1/11/12 6 PM
171 12th St Oakland
January 15th, 2012 at 10:30 am
So….I am tired of this a bit but would like to finally know…..who are the board members? Did anyone go to the meeting? What was the resut?
Such a soap opera! I wonder if American Indian likes this sort of attention- probably not!
January 15th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFHzGKVit3o
January 15th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
The video above shows an AIPCS Board meeting. There was no discussion – a tactic used to keep the public uninformed. Just thought I’d give everyone an update…
January 16th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
There is too much going on here. First this person posts the linlk through “lumbee lovechild”?Then at the end of her rant thgat remonded me of a college campus group leader, she states that ” she wants to help expand the model. She believes init?”
I watched and came of thinking that this perosn either has had a relationship with Chavis,and is a disgruntled employee.
Not much of an investifative reporter are you Lovechild?
January 16th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
sorry…too many typos!
January 16th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
As much as I do not like Chavis, I have to say PB that you come off as a disgruntled teacher!
Not much substance here to be honest, and you even sound childish at times!
Honey….teacher raises..your serious?
As for him on the board, ok there might be something, but leave that teacher slant alone…enough at OUSD already – who are you the union? No better way to turn off the public! Also, if you support model as you day at the end of your “speech”, then you support the practices as far as Im concerned…
Leave it alone, your in over your head.
January 17th, 2012 at 8:50 am
Getting fired or being forced to quit because of intimidation can make some unhappy. I can count eight who left after Chavis came back. The reasons had nothing to do with money. The AIPCS board was questioned about their actions…I don’t think OUSD was mentioned. OUSD should hold charter schools accountable and the public should know what is going on. Sorry if I sounded childish – the list of questions was so ridiculously long it was humorous. I just want someone to investigate.
If you’re irked by the part regarding teacher bonuses and raises, ignore it. It was for teachers who still work there. If you speak out, you’re considered a threat. That leads to dismissal. I spoke of raises/bonuses because 1) it’s a part of the model which the board ignored the past year(AIM specific, not OUSD specific)and 2)Chavis profits immensely from renting space to AIPCS II, but can’t afford a standard of living raise. I guess I should stay quiet. I’m one person and in over my head.
February 1st, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Re: comment 106
Former AIPCS Parent,
I can’t speak for the rest of your comment, but I wanted to take the opportunity to correct your assertion that Alpha is an AIM spinoff.
Ben has had no involvement in the creation of Alpha. He will not be involved in its operation or governance, nor will he serve as an adviser or consultant. We have our own non-profit and board. Though I’m proud of the work I did with the students and teachers at AIM, and though we will still have high expectations of students, the model at Alpha is completely different. We are implementing a full blended model with 2:1 student to computer ratios in every class; significant parent involvement and community outreach; a robust teacher development program that focuses on established best practices; an intensive, research-based character development program for students; and a behavior management approach that balances consequences with praise – treating all kids with respect.
I learned a lot during my time at AIM, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I had there, but I’ve moved on – geographically and with respect to my educational philosophy. Alpha will succeed or fail on its own merits.
I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about Alpha. Contact information is available through our website.
February 7th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
http://www.asbcs.az.gov/board_information/meeting_info/2012/January.asp
These aren’t just allegations anymore. OUSD is now formally investigating AIPCS through FCMAT. The investigation is ongoing.
February 8th, 2012 at 8:31 am
Good, it’s about time! Every rotten egg, either within charter or public schools should be tossed away.
February 10th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
At the last board meeting, Ms. Spearmen made it clear that the charter office has a bone to pick with Chavis. So, will she and other board members approve this school with all of this?
Arizona denied on the attched video link above. Now-its Oakland’s turn…will board members do the right thing? What precedent will be set when you approve this one?
I hope you get it right!
February 13th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
So when is the verdict out on Apics? I am curious to see what its all about.
When is the vote for this school as mentioned above?
February 13th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
I don’t believe it’s been scheduled yet. The Oakland school board held its first of two hearings on the AIPCS charter renewal last week.
February 20th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Aipcs board meeting Tuesday 2/21/12 4 PM
February 21st, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Perhaps an answer to the state investigation will be discussed? I am still not clear who is in charge?
March 29th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Thank you Arizona for keeping us Oakland Parents updated on what FCMAT, ACOE, OUSD, and hopefully soon, the Feds, have been investigating!
See and read #116!!!
fyi… conditional “Letters of Acceptance” for Fall 2012 have been received by numerous K-4 families for a school at 12th/Madison (same location as AIPCSII)!
April 2nd, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Is it true that AIPCS II’s renewal petition was denied by OUSD?
April 2nd, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Not yet – it’s on Wednesday’s agenda. I’m working on a story about it now, actually.
April 2nd, 2012 at 4:07 pm
http://ousd.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1099958&GUID=C5656E8D-7547-4B5A-96E7-83FB6553BA11&Options=ID|Text|Attachments|&Search=leadership+public
few tidbits:
Facilities lease agreements signed by the founder that document various roles as lessee and lessor with no
verifiable authorization from the governing board. (Annual lease for AIPCS II facility is currently $280,350;
amounts for the other AIMS schools are about the same.)
o Large expenditures for construction projects that lack any support documentation or authoriza- tion by
the governing board and corresponding checks signed by the founder to his personal business for these
construction expenditures. (AIMS board minutes report construction expenditures of $500,000 to
date.)
o Entries for the founder’s life insurance, payroll and additional CalPERS paid to on behalf of the founder
during a time when former employees and the founder indicate that the founder was not affiliated with
the day-to-day business and was instead only the landlord. (Salary of $100,000 per year reported to
OCS.)
o The founder’s wife has a separate outside services contract with the organization to perform back-office
bookkeeping and exists as an employee on the charter schools payroll records during the same time frame.
(Service contract reportedly $150,000 per year.)
o Department of Motor Vehicle fees paid with school funds when the school has no vehicles.
o A check payable to the Arizona Commission for expedition services related to a charter petition
o unrelated to AIMS Charter Schools in Oakland, CA.
o Multiple checks to a former board member for various services.
April 2nd, 2012 at 7:06 pm
PoohBear,
Where is this info. located? I can’t seem to find it on the link.
April 2nd, 2012 at 7:34 pm
http://ousd.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1099958&GUID=C5656E8D-7547-4B5A-96E7-83FB6553BA11&Options=ID
Try that. File 12-0444 under OUSD legislation
April 2nd, 2012 at 7:36 pm
You’ll also find the link posted a new blog entry: http://www.ibabuzz.com/education/2012/04/02/will-oaklands-highest-scoring-school-be-closed/