Prime Prep Academy appeals charter decision School officials secure deal to repay $45K in misused funds
By JOSHUA C. JOHNSON
Dallas Post Tribune
Wednesday Prime Prep Academy officials said that they were one step closer to keeping their school charter. Critics were counting the days until the charter school co-founded by former professional athlete Deion Sanders. But according to Prime Prep Academy Superintendent Ron Price they have made serious strides to correct the mismanagement by former Executive Director Damien Wallace.
“Our attorneys are finalizing that and they are going to submit it first thing in the morning. We feel comfortable that we have a good case and that we have done everything the state has asked of us.”
Two weeks ago via letter TEA Chief Deputy Commissioner of Education Lizzette Gonzales Reynolds informed Prime Prep of her intent to revoke the school’s charter. Reynolds cited the school’s failure to comply with state education mandates as well as seriously lacking fiscal management.
“We have to show them that all of our structures, checks and balances have changed so that they know the mistakes that happened in the past will not occur again,” said Price.
More specifically the mistakes Price is referring to is the fraudulent claim by previous administrators to the Texas Agriculture Commissioner for more than $45,000 in 2013.
TDA investigators discovered a number of discrepancies in the amount of monies requested by Prime Prep Academy for their child nutrition program and the amount of meals actually served.
In a April 21, 2014 notice Mueck informed Uplift Fort Worth that its intended to reclaim the $45.830.92 paid to Prime Prep in recompense for meals the school allegedly served during the months of September, October and November 2013.
As of last Thursday Price has struck a deal to repay the monies misappropriated by then director level administrators. Over the next 12 months the school would make payments of $3,820. But the promissory note doesn’t make everything all good.
Now their written argument will go before the TEA officials must also submit all the documentation that has been lapsed over the past three years including supporting arguments.
“If, after the informal review is completed. I do not change my decision to seek revocation of the charter, this matter will be docketed
with the State Office of Administrative Hearings for a hearing pursuant to TEC (Texas Education Code) 12.116,” said Reynolds.
According to that same law the administrative law judge must uphold Reynolds’ decision unless there is proof of capricious or malicious intent on behalf of the TEA official or erroneous evidence in the case. From there the judge’s ruling is final and may not be appealed.
