QUOTE FROM THE LA SCHOOL REPORT NEWS
“ In
one of its shorter meetings — under five hours — the board covered a lot of
other territory, with discussions on Cesar Chavez, Armenian genocide, water
conservation, Women’s History Month, National Library Week and figuring out a
way to encourage district employees to get health coverage. The members also spent
a few hours deliberating the future of a handful of schools, based on their
fiscal viability.
Conditional
charter renewals for Magnolia Science Academy 6 and 7 were approved in a five to one vote,
with Kayser, again, as the only dissenter.
An audit conducted in 2012 revealed a “clear misappropriation of
funds” at the two schools – located in board District 1, which is currently
unrepresented, and Tamar
Galatzan’s District 3. But Jose Cole-Gutierrez, Director of LA
Unified’s Charter School Division, said Magnolia Public Schools, the company
behind the science academies, has rectified the deficiencies in their financial
systems.
Board member Steve
Zimmer had other misgivings about the approval, given that the
school’s declining enrollment and plans to downsize even
more “.
*AGENDA analysis
Magnolia is
seeking renewal for MSA-6 (on the border of Culver City) and MSA-7 in
Northridge. In addition, it is seeking approval to decrease its
enrollment capacity and grade levels served at both schools.
MSA-6 (sometimes called
MSA-Palms) was originally authorized for a capacity of 575 students in grades
6-11. Now it wants to reduce to 300 students in grades 6-8.
It opened in 2009 with 74
students (6 & 7). In 2010-11 it had 168 students (6-8). In 2011-12 it had
154 students in (6-8), and in 2012-13 it only had 136 students (6-8).
MSA-7 (sometimes called
MSA-Van Nuys) was originally authorized as a 6-11 school but obtained approval
for a revision to a K-8 school in June 2010 before the school opened.
Its original capacity was for
425 students in grades K-8. Now it wants to reduce to 300 students in grades
K-5.
In opened in 2010 with 96
students (K-5). In 2011-12 it had 121 students (K-5). In 2012-13 it had 233
students (K-5).
FINAL ANALYSIS AND
SUGGESTIONS TO THE LAUSD BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dear
LAUSD Board Members, Superintendent Deasy, Director Cole-Gutierrez, Mr.
Bramlett, and Mr. Holmquist,
I just viewed the portion of the LAUSD board meeting where the two Magnolia Science Academy schools were conditionally renewed. You were not fully advised about the extent of the Magnolia CMO's problems.
1. Problems in San Diego:
Magnolia’s most recent attempt to open another school in San Diego (MSA-Next Generation) was rejected 3:2 by the SDUSD school board on 2/4/2014.
Be sure to read the charter school office report and recommendation for denial (Item E-1).
http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/sandi/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9BFTL674A68D
Among the numerous reasons, you’ll see that low scores were cited for other schools in the chain.
The meeting was recorded so, if you have the time, listen to the discussion and the rationale for the decision. It runs from 4:33 min. to 56:25 min.
http://www.sandi.net/cms/lib/CA01001235/Centricity/domain/431/reports/2014/0204/video.html
The denial recommendation presented by Susan Park of the SDUSD charter school division cited the financial problems that have both been reported by the CDE (for the PacTech schools, Magnolia's statewide benefit charter schools) AND the Santa Clara County Office of Education (for MSA-Santa Clara). Magnolia was issued a formal notice of concerns by both of those authorizers.
* http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/pn/im/documents/memo-dsib-csd-oct13item01.doc (dated 10/17/2013)
* http://www.sccoe.org/countyboard/Documents/2012-13/051513/12L.pdf (dated 5/13/2013)
Interestingly, the San Diego USD people did not bring up the August 2012 LAUSD OIG report on Magnolia 1, 2, and 3. Perhaps they were unaware of it.
http://notebook.lausd.net/pls/ptl/docs/PAGE/CA_LAUSD/FLDR_ORGANIZATIONS/FLDR_OIG_PUBLICATIONS_AUDIT_REPORTS/12486MAGNOLIASCIENCEACAD.PDF
2. Problems in Costa Mesa:
Pacific Technology School – Santa Ana in Costa Mesa has been operating “under a rare state authorization set to expire in June. Because the charter organization no longer runs enough schools to qualify for the “statewide benefit” authorization.”
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/school-601606-charter-santa.html
In other words, its current statewide benefit charter expires in June 2014 and Magnolia must either find a new authorizer for this school or close it.
Under a new name, Magnolia Science Academy – Santa Ana, Magnolia submitted an application to Santa Ana USD. On 10/8/2014, that board denied the charter petition.
http://www.sausd.us/cms/lib5/CA01000471/Centricity/Domain/133/Approved%2010-8-13%20Minutes.pdf
So, as expected, Magnolia went on to appeal to the Orange County Department of Education. On 2/12/2014, that appeal was denied.
Magnolia may not have anywhere else to turn at this point. Perhaps they could ask the SBOE to authorize a single school, but I'm not sure. Plus given the multiple situations and recent history of denials, I doubt the state board would be willing to approve a charter school for them.
3. Problems in Orangevale:
Magnolia quietly closed Pacific Technology School in Orangevale (near Sacramento) at the end of 2012-13. That school was the second of two Magnolia-operated Pacific Technology Schools (statewide benefit charter schools). The Orangevale school had been struggling with getting sufficient enrollment but I have not found anything official about why it was closed. The reason is likely related to Magnolia’s financial problems.
4. On Magnolia's Gulen Movement connectivity
Of course Magnolia Public Schools (previously Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation, before that the Dialog Cultural, Scientific & Educational Foundation) is a Gulen Movement-associated organization! It is part of the Gulen Movement's large US charter school network, which is part of the Gulen Movement's global network of schools.
If you not know about Fethullah Gulen and his group of followers, this video presentation will explain things to you.
http://perimeterprimate.blogspot.com/2014/01/webinar-video-of-gulen-movement-101.html
The Gulen Movement is a highly secretive and extremely controversial, cult-like, hierarchical, foreign-based religious group with a history of shady dealings.*
Since LAUSD is the authorizer for the majority of the Gulen charter schools in California, you may want to understand what you are dealing with.
I will prepare and send additional information to you about Magnolia's connectivity to the Gulen Movement. In the meantime:
1. Excerpt from "The Global Imam", published by The New Republic in November 2010: "Such schools—many with fuzzy-happy names like Harmony, Magnolia, Pinnacle, and Amity—are only part of the cornucopia of cultural offerings that the movement has brought to the United States." http://www.tnr.com/article/world/magazine/79062/global-turkey-imam-fethullah-gulen?page=0,1#
2. Translated portion of an article published by the Turkish daily Millyet in August 2010 reported that “The Walton family, founder of Wal-mart, the worldwide retail giant, has donated millions of dollars to schools considered to be associated with the Gülen community... The school that has benefited the most from the donations of the foundation is the Magnolia Science Academy in California.” http://gundem.milliyet.com.tr/walmart-tan-gulen-okullarina-bagis/guncel/gundemdetay/27.08.2010/1281603/default.htm
It always amazes me to realize that people in Turkey were presented with information about the Gulen Movement's California schools back in 2010 while the unknowing taxpayers here who are being forced to support the Movement's charter schools still are not.
I just viewed the portion of the LAUSD board meeting where the two Magnolia Science Academy schools were conditionally renewed. You were not fully advised about the extent of the Magnolia CMO's problems.
1. Problems in San Diego:
Magnolia’s most recent attempt to open another school in San Diego (MSA-Next Generation) was rejected 3:2 by the SDUSD school board on 2/4/2014.
Be sure to read the charter school office report and recommendation for denial (Item E-1).
http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/sandi/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9BFTL674A68D
Among the numerous reasons, you’ll see that low scores were cited for other schools in the chain.
The meeting was recorded so, if you have the time, listen to the discussion and the rationale for the decision. It runs from 4:33 min. to 56:25 min.
http://www.sandi.net/cms/lib/CA01001235/Centricity/domain/431/reports/2014/0204/video.html
The denial recommendation presented by Susan Park of the SDUSD charter school division cited the financial problems that have both been reported by the CDE (for the PacTech schools, Magnolia's statewide benefit charter schools) AND the Santa Clara County Office of Education (for MSA-Santa Clara). Magnolia was issued a formal notice of concerns by both of those authorizers.
* http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/pn/im/documents/memo-dsib-csd-oct13item01.doc (dated 10/17/2013)
* http://www.sccoe.org/countyboard/Documents/2012-13/051513/12L.pdf (dated 5/13/2013)
Interestingly, the San Diego USD people did not bring up the August 2012 LAUSD OIG report on Magnolia 1, 2, and 3. Perhaps they were unaware of it.
http://notebook.lausd.net/pls/ptl/docs/PAGE/CA_LAUSD/FLDR_ORGANIZATIONS/FLDR_OIG_PUBLICATIONS_AUDIT_REPORTS/12486MAGNOLIASCIENCEACAD.PDF
2. Problems in Costa Mesa:
Pacific Technology School – Santa Ana in Costa Mesa has been operating “under a rare state authorization set to expire in June. Because the charter organization no longer runs enough schools to qualify for the “statewide benefit” authorization.”
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/school-601606-charter-santa.html
In other words, its current statewide benefit charter expires in June 2014 and Magnolia must either find a new authorizer for this school or close it.
Under a new name, Magnolia Science Academy – Santa Ana, Magnolia submitted an application to Santa Ana USD. On 10/8/2014, that board denied the charter petition.
http://www.sausd.us/cms/lib5/CA01000471/Centricity/Domain/133/Approved%2010-8-13%20Minutes.pdf
So, as expected, Magnolia went on to appeal to the Orange County Department of Education. On 2/12/2014, that appeal was denied.
Magnolia may not have anywhere else to turn at this point. Perhaps they could ask the SBOE to authorize a single school, but I'm not sure. Plus given the multiple situations and recent history of denials, I doubt the state board would be willing to approve a charter school for them.
3. Problems in Orangevale:
Magnolia quietly closed Pacific Technology School in Orangevale (near Sacramento) at the end of 2012-13. That school was the second of two Magnolia-operated Pacific Technology Schools (statewide benefit charter schools). The Orangevale school had been struggling with getting sufficient enrollment but I have not found anything official about why it was closed. The reason is likely related to Magnolia’s financial problems.
4. On Magnolia's Gulen Movement connectivity
Of course Magnolia Public Schools (previously Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation, before that the Dialog Cultural, Scientific & Educational Foundation) is a Gulen Movement-associated organization! It is part of the Gulen Movement's large US charter school network, which is part of the Gulen Movement's global network of schools.
If you not know about Fethullah Gulen and his group of followers, this video presentation will explain things to you.
http://perimeterprimate.blogspot.com/2014/01/webinar-video-of-gulen-movement-101.html
The Gulen Movement is a highly secretive and extremely controversial, cult-like, hierarchical, foreign-based religious group with a history of shady dealings.*
Since LAUSD is the authorizer for the majority of the Gulen charter schools in California, you may want to understand what you are dealing with.
I will prepare and send additional information to you about Magnolia's connectivity to the Gulen Movement. In the meantime:
1. Excerpt from "The Global Imam", published by The New Republic in November 2010: "Such schools—many with fuzzy-happy names like Harmony, Magnolia, Pinnacle, and Amity—are only part of the cornucopia of cultural offerings that the movement has brought to the United States." http://www.tnr.com/article/world/magazine/79062/global-turkey-imam-fethullah-gulen?page=0,1#
2. Translated portion of an article published by the Turkish daily Millyet in August 2010 reported that “The Walton family, founder of Wal-mart, the worldwide retail giant, has donated millions of dollars to schools considered to be associated with the Gülen community... The school that has benefited the most from the donations of the foundation is the Magnolia Science Academy in California.” http://gundem.milliyet.com.tr/walmart-tan-gulen-okullarina-bagis/guncel/gundemdetay/27.08.2010/1281603/default.htm
It always amazes me to realize that people in Turkey were presented with information about the Gulen Movement's California schools back in 2010 while the unknowing taxpayers here who are being forced to support the Movement's charter schools still are not.
You need to be aware that Magnolia regularly involves its students with events sponsored by local Gulenist organizations (the Pacifica Institute and its affiliates). Pacifica Institute's connection to the Gulen Movement is confirmed in this 2008 embassy cable.
https://wikileaks.org/cable/2008/09/08ISTANBUL487.html
This video report features Magnolia and other Gulen charter school students from the western region competing in a Pacifica Institute-sponsored event in 2009 (NOTE: Ebru TV is a Gulen Movment-associated English-language TV station).
http://ebrunews.com/en/search/10421
This piece features a photo of Magnolia students at a Pacifica Institute-organized festival in 2011. (NOTE: Today's Zaman is a Gulen Movment-associated English-language newspaper).
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-259370-turkish-cultural-and-food-festival-attracts-thousands-in-los-angeles.html
I attended that exact same festival for three days in order to observe. I was quite surprised to see the fairgrounds swarming with Magnolia and Pacific Technology School students on both Thursday and Friday, where a minimum of 30 school buses filled the parking lot on those days. I was stunned to periodically hear the Muslim call to prayer over the loudspeaker at the Pacifica Institute's festival. After the call, many people (mostly men) headed over to the festival's Blue Mosque facsimile and assembled themselves to pray (gender separated of course). The point here is that Magnolia students were taken to a festival where regular religious services were being held.
I've also attended a Turkish festival in Monterey that was sponsored by non-Gulenist Turkish American organization. There was no call to prayer.
I want to emphasize to you that Magnolia has never revealed the extent of its Turkish cultural emphasis in its charter school applications. This is the case for all Gulen charter schools across the country. Beyond the monetary advantages to the Gulen Movement's charter school (the US is the only country where the host country's taxpayers fully fund their schools), other reasons that these schools have been started are to implement Fethullah Gulen's educational philosophy, to recruit sympathizers for the Gulen Movement, and to develop in students an allegiance to Gulen's vision of a more powerful Turkey. The video explains how the Gulen Movement recruits its new members in Turkey.
Hopefully, once you grasp what is going on, you will also think it would be important for the unknowing parents in Los Angeles to know the truth. The Magnolia school operators are not about to expain it to them.
At any rate, I hope this information will interest you. There are many reasons to extra-heavily scrutinize the finances and goings-on at the Magnolia schools and to be skeptical about whatever they present to you.
* A major Turkish political crisis involving Gulen and his followers has made headlines in recent months. For example:
* 1/20/2014, LA Times: “From his Pa. compound, Fethullah Gulen shakes up Turkey.” http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-turkey-gulen-20140120,0,5836184,full.story#axzz2qwi3iBtQ
* 2/5/2014, NY Times (appeared in the magazine on 2/9): “Whose Turkey Is It?” http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/magazine/whose-turkey-is-it.html?emc=eta1 .
Both articles mention the US schools.
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