“IDEA Charter Schools Under TEA Conservatorship After Financial Misconduct”
Hello SAISD Parents and San Antonio Community Members,
One of Texas’ largest charter school systems, IDEA, with 143 schools across the state, has been under investigation for improperly spending funds for a couple of years. The report proved that some top CEOs had spent money leasing jets, buying luxury items, and paying for their entire family to attend the World Series. TEA has placed the school system under a conservatorship. TEA will now monitor the spending of all 143 schools and 80,000 students in grades K-12. It’s worth noting that in the 2023-2024 school year, IDEA received $821 million in state funding. Under conservatorship, the conservators have been given the authority to facilitate needs assessments and conduct inspections to ensure that all funds are being spent on what is necessary to maintain the buildings, pay staff, and educate their students.
It’s important to note that TEA has not taken control of the IDEA Schools. Instead, TEA will require reports from those they have placed over their financial records, and if any looks suspicious, then TEA would consider taking over all their schools. IDEA has stated that it would be returning $28.7 million to the U.S. Department of Education, which it received in a grant from a prior year. This is a good start, but more is needed to make up for the millions these top CEOs have already spent. These people should be held accountable for all the money they spend. But let us wait and see what happens next.
Parents know that San Antonio has renewed the “Truancy Intervention and Prevention program” to help our schools deal with absences. So, if students have ten unexcused absences, a case worker will get involved, and you will have to deal with San Antonio Municipal Courts. If your child is in high school, it’s important to remember that all students need a 90% attendance record in each class to graduate.
Lastly, I hope that everyone has a wonderful Spring Break. If you have any questions or concerns please email me at lena.lopez@saobserver.com.
Have a Blessed Week,
Lena Lopez
