Vista Literacy Academy wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:18 AM:VUSD Board Member Stephen Gunffanti must be devastated $$$$$.

Nick wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:50 AM:Can someone clarify this? IF Julian revokes the charter and IF Eagles Peak appeals, I was told that there would be no more funding from the State??? If that is so, how would Eagles Peak pay employees?

Stacy Brandt wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:13 AM:Hello, this is North County Times staff writer Stacy Brandt. Just to clarify, if Eagles Peak appeals, it would be up to the state Department of Education to decide whether or not the school would be allowed to stay open and recieve state money during the appeal process.

concerned wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:22 PM:when and where is the meeting taking place?

Answer wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:15 PM:This is a regularly scheduled meeting of the Julian Union High School District's Board of Directors. It's Thursday night (7pm I think) at their district office in Julian.

DM wrote on Jul 16, 2008 6:58 PM:Lets hope they force D.H. to quit. She is the problem as all educated people see.

BD wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:03 PM:LOL DM I completely agree with you.

Just Me wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:40 PM:Any word on the results from the Julian meeting yet?

Nick wrote on Jul 17, 2008 2:39 PM:The statement is "We're basically being held hostage," he said. "They are crippling our ability to exist." It is not the Julian board that is holding EPCS "hostage" - it the the EPCS board. Maybe the Julian board should talk to the EPCS administrative staff (classified) to get the real scoop about the status of EPCS (i.e. lack of morales, integrity, character).

Donna wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:31 PM:Agree with Nick's comment. The board has made very poor decisions. When will the fate of EP be decided? I think an appeals process will not work, and if the EP classified staff have an ounce of smarts, they should begin their job search prior to the ax falling.

Donna wrote on Jul 17, 2008 5:01 PM:Closed meeting tomorrow at 9:00 am. It is one the Eagles Peak website...will be interesting to see what that outocme is.

Joe wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:01 PM:Hopefully, Julian District will do the right thing today, which is to STOP Eagles Peak’s renegade board from continuing to laugh at the law and abuse of taxpayers’ money. Mr. Alderson and his administration tried to bring the school into compliance with “No Child Left Behind” and all State regulations. Because of that effort and a refusal to continue with the status quo, the new administration is gone. Eagles Peak has one of the most sinister histories of school mismanagement and maybe is the worst offender of the law of all California Charter Schools. EPCS gives the charter school movement a bad name. This board should be accountable for its negligent oversight and the millions spent on anything but the students and programs for which the funds were destined. This board approved the division of EPCS, where the previous administrators paid EPCS almost 2 millions dollars in order to walk away from the mess, start a new school and leave EPCS with debts of several millions dollars, in addition to a Wells Fargo loan of over 2.500.000 dollars. This board should stop their self righteous behavior, their ignorant “leadership” and give the school a chance to survive by stepping down. As a tax payer I think this situation is outrageous and the abuse cannot be allowed to continue. A comprehensive audit should be done of all attendance records, student records and funding and the renegades should be held accountable. I hope this sad story ends tomorrow and taxpayers see their money invested in serious and responsible public or charter schools.

Kerri wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:33 PM:Words cannot express my concern, sadness, and disbelief of what has happened to the school. My heart goes out to all parents, students, and employees of EPCS. I for one will never forget the hard work and the vision that was once a great school...Thanks to all of you that participated...Love, Kerri

Eagles Peak Parent wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:38 PM:The current Eagles Peak Board is trying to Clean up the mismanagement of the previous board. Julian and others are too late to nail the true culprits of Eagles Peak debacle. It is sad to see innocent people being slammed for problems that were caused by the previous administrators that walked away scott free. Look out students and parents of River Springs!!!

Charter Approved Revoked wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:42 PM:What happened or what is happening at the Julian Board meeting tonight?

Fred wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:45 PM:What happened at the Julian Board Meeting tonight? Do we still have a charter?

Marianne wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:36 PM:I have done some research on this whole thing. There was a report done in November 2007. It is on the internet. If you do a google search, the stuff you find out may really surprise you.

The sad thing here is that the kids loose. And that is what I though this was supposed to be all about.

Donna wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:59 AM:At this point, why would any parent want thier child to attend EP?

mstie wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:43 AM:EP Charter was approved last night 3-1.

Donna wrote on Jul 18, 2008 12:09 PM:Was it approved or were they just given an extension?

therealBlueFairy wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:55 PM:They were given an extension. One board member voted against a continuance. They have kicked the issue back to Superintendent Peabody, who recommended for the board to move forward with intention to revoke. The date of August 7 was bandied around for compliance of the time line.

I posted comments from the meeting on the July 1 article. I attended the meeting last night. I was appalled and embarrassed by the behavior of the EP board and their attorney.

STEVE wrote on Jul 25, 2008 9:32 AM:As a parent i am unclear if this will effect all eagles peak schools in san diego or just the julian schools. If this is revoked will my child no longer be able to use eagles peak in vista. Any info would be helpfull.

therealBlueFairy wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:58 AM:Steve, if the charter is revoked the school will not be allowed to operate. Although the board is saying they will appeal the decision, that can take time and more money.

All programs would be closed if the charter is revoked.

therealBlueFairy wrote on Jul 28, 2008 2:32 PM:Steve, the Vista Renaissance program has been closed as well as the OC program. Teachers have been laid off. I hope this information helps you. Keep in mind in looking for other alternatives, school terms can begin on different dates.

Marianne wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:46 AM:Renaissance is not yet closed, but may be. There has been no final decision. If EP does fold, other charters can and will take in the students.

And as for why any parent would want their child to go to Eagles Peak? Only someone without children in EP would say something like that. Our children become attached to the ES's and programs offered. We as parents are not as effected as you classified employees are by all of this. The classified employees have the beef, more so than the parents.

It would be nice if everyone focused on what is best for the children. Again, this is what it is supposed to be about.

Nick wrote on Jul 31, 2008 5:36 PM:I can understand why some parent would be reluctant to make a change as (as stated by Marianne). I also agree it would be nice if everyone focused on what is best for the children.
However, the children are not getting the education they deserve if EP is not in compliance with federal and state regulations and guidelines.
When so many areas (financial, compliance, staffing) of any school are not in balance that can be, and in this case it is, a direct conflict of the students interest and education.

Concerned parent wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:29 PM:I have a child who is new to EP and I got a letter saying that there was already a vote to NOT revoke 3-1. Is this true or will Aug 7 really let us know? Thx!

therealBlueFairy wrote on Aug 9, 2008 4:46 PM:Concerned parent, the 3-1 vote that you are referring to was for the issue to be "kicked" back to Superintendent Peabody (who recommended to go forward with intent to revoke). The vote was 3-for kicking back; 1-for going forward with "intent."

As of writing this comment, no comment is being made about the meeting on Thursday.

JUHSD was meeting Thursday in closed session with their attorney. That is all that is known at this time.

And again, the MOU was not renewed.

therealblueFairy wrote on Aug 9, 2008 6:54 PM:Update:

JUHSD special meeting, Monday, August 11, 2008. Closed session 6 p.m. Open session 7 p.m.

This was taken directly from the posted agenda:

AGENDA: GENERAL BUSINESS

TOPIC: A.3. The Board will consider Approval of a Notice of Intent to Revoke and Notice of Facts in Support of Revocation concerning the Eagles Peak Charter

DESCRIPTION: Eagles Peak has been in operation for the past eight years since its opening as a new charter school authorized by the District in 2000. The District has made diligent efforts to ensure that Eagles Peak complied with its Charter, the Memorandum of Understanding between the District and Eagles Peak dated June 16, 2005 (“MOU”), and Eagles Peak’s statutory obligations. Section 47607(c) itemizes the circumstances under which a charter may be revoked. It provides:

A charter may be revoked by the authority that granted the charter under this chapter if the authority finds, through a showing of substantial evidence, that the charter school did any of the following:
(1) Committed a material violation of any of the conditions, standards, or procedures set forth in the charter.
(2) Failed to meet or pursue any of the pupil outcomes identified in the charter.
(3) Failed to meet generally accepted accounting principles, or engaged in fiscal mismanagement.
(4) Violated any provision of law.

The District issued a Notice to Cure and Correct, dated May 20, 2008, pursuant to Education Code § 47607(d) (“Notice to Cure and Correct”), which advised Eagles Peak that unless it provided the District with written responses and documentation that showed Eagles Peak had cured and corrected the financial, curriculum and governance concerns outlined therein no later than May 31, 2008, the District would revoke its Charter. EPCS was granted an extension of June 19, 2008.

Eagles Peak provided a response to the District, dated June 13, 2008 (the “Response”). The District has reviewed the Response about how to remedy the financial, curriculum and governance concerns as requested by the District in the Notice to Cure and Correct. The District may now issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke and Notice of Facts in Support of Revocation pursuant to Section 47607(c) if it feels there is substantial evidence, that the Eagles Peak committed material violations of its charter, failed to meet generally accepted accounting principles, engaged in fiscal mismanagement and/or violated provisions of law.

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the Notice of Intent to Revoke and Notice of Facts in Support of Revocation concerning the Eagles Peak Charter School.