Laboratory, Agora and Planet Abacus Charter founder indicted

**annie** · 07-24-2012, 01:37 PM

Inquirer education reporter Kristen Graham is tweeting @newskag that the U.S. attorney has indicted June Brown the founder of Laboratory, Planet Abacus and Ad Prima Charter schools and Agora Cyber Charter on 62 counts. It alleged that she defrauded Laboratory, Planet Abacus and Agora of more than $6.5 million. Others holding the title presently or in the past of principal, CEO or business manager at the schools also indicted.

**seand** · 07-24-2012, 01:42 PM

This will be interesting. At least she stuck to never enough homework, never enough test prep, philosophy - even as she allegedly helped herself to money from the schools she founded, I guess.

Proof better fiscal oversight is warranted once again.

**annie** · 07-24-2012, 01:45 PM

Don't forget no recess either. Also suing parents at Agora for slander for questioning finances. Sounds like a wonderful woman.

Feds charge Philly charter school mogul in massive fraud

A former Laboratory parent has mentioned how parents used to have to bring in toilet paper and copy paper because otherwise the students would be without. Presumably while all this was going on.

**seand** · 07-24-2012, 01:54 PM

And yet I know a parent who claimed to like Laboratory.

I feel like many parents are so starved for the feeling that basic safety and discipline issues are not going to overwhelm learning they grab at anything that seems to swing in the opposite direction.

**annie** · 07-24-2012, 02:01 PM

Yes, Sean, that's totally the important thing right at this moment.

**seand** · 07-24-2012, 02:08 PM

The fact that the director's greed is going to totally disrupt the education process for kids at her schools isn't the most important thing?

Again, sometimes I'm not always sure where your priorities are coming from on this stuff. Is it always "gotcha", X type of institution is flawed, my side wins first?

**annie** · 07-24-2012, 02:15 PM

Well you edited your post retroactively to make it seem like less of the quip than it was when I responded. You seemed initially to be saying what's a little fraud if parents like it. You've now added the comment that changes the context of your first sentence. I'm sure this little he-said, she-said, he-edited exchange is fascinating for all reading.

Anyway, this explains why Laboratory, Planet Abacus and Ad Prima haven't had their charter renewal hearings yet. The district kept saying they were waiting for some "financial" documents.

**seand** · 07-24-2012, 02:21 PM

I think you read the first sentence as more of a "quip" than it was. I really do know (and I think you might also know,as a Cedar Park resident) a parent who really, actually did like Laboratory which I'll admit did perk my curiosity (because I've heard plenty of stuff that turned me off well before this) and my thought was immediately of her daughters.

Also I frequently add an addendum or afterthought to my posts, not in response to other posts but because it pops in my head. For example, now. It wasn't to trip you up.

Anyhoo, back on topic.

**annie** · 07-24-2012, 04:13 PM

http://media.philly.com/documents/20...indictment.pdf

The 66-page indictment should anyone want to read it.

**annie** · 07-24-2012, 07:48 PM

School district released a statement that the renewals for the charters are on hold pending a district investigation into the allegations. The district has, of course, hired outside counsel to lead the investigation. For those just tuning in at home, the district, in a cost-cutting measure last year, downsized its in-house legal counsel to save $250,000 and then spent ~$1 million+ than it otherwise would have on outside legal counsel.

**JackStraw** · 07-26-2012, 01:36 AM

How is it possible that June Brown was able to receive pay for two full time jobs and a third part time job? Guess she slept on her desk at work?

**annie** · 07-26-2012, 11:55 AM

Reading the indictment the schools will may have a difficult time operating without Brown as the leadership team largely consisted of unqualified people she groomed to accept a fat salary while allowing her to run everything and colluding with her in the fraud mostly related to her company receiving significant management/consulting contracts. (This was after charter law was changed so she couldn't officially run three schools at once) It doesn't seem that there is a functioning board in place that would be able to select and provide oversight to appropriate replacement leadership. Also concerning is that the schools may actually be understaffed as it is alleged she had staff receiving paychecks from one school work at the others as well so there'd be more money left for her and/or to shift money around to cover some of the funds she took.

**annie** · 08-12-2012, 07:29 PM

Parents want a say in their charter

**darthsinatra** · 08-12-2012, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by annie

Parents want a say in their charter

I just read that article and was taken aback by the fact that some of the parents are afraid of the one administrator, and that the same administrator had filed a lawsuit for defamation against parents at another school. It's exactly this type of arrogance and tone-deafness that result in situations like what Queen Arlene did to the school district. Shame on these people for putting their own egos and wallets ahead of what's best for students and families. Throw them all out on their fat, entitled asses.

**annie** · 08-15-2012, 02:09 PM

Meeting this Thursday by parents of students at Planet Abacus, Laboratory and Ad Prima charters. Looks like they're trying to take ownership of their schools in light of the recent federal indictments of the schools paid leadership. Please share if know any parents at these schools that might be interested.

Planet Abacus Charter School Parent Forum - School - Philadelphia, PA | Facebook

Meeting Thursday night, in front of St. Leo's Church, 7:30 PM. WE NEED YOU THERE. What we started last week is the culmination of years of hard work from parents and teachers alike, and the result of months of evasion and bullying from school administration. We remind you: the FBI made the charges, the media reported on them, we are merely reacting to the charges. We are not guilty of slander or libel. And we will NOT be guilty of doing nothing while this mess festers. We have a petition for the School Board and Main Line. Come join us!!

**annie** · 09-12-2012, 07:45 AM

Not good news for Laboratory and Planet Abacus parents hoping to takeover the schools and keep them open:

District reports recommend against renewing 2 charters

According to documents The Inquirer received late Monday under the state's Right-to-Know Law, the district's preliminary review that began in the 2011-12 school year found the two schools had not submitted requested financial records, did not return parent surveys, and failed to provide adequate support for special-needs students.

And based on board meeting minutes and interviews, the charter office in its reports said members of the Planet Abacus and Laboratory charters' boards knew little about the schools' operations and students. The boards did not analyze budgets and provided little leadership or oversight, the report said.

Also findings that application procedures may violate state law discouraging special ed and ELL students and requiring placement tests.

**OldMama** · 09-12-2012, 08:32 AM

The news about the ELL and special ed numbers (appalling)and parents' claims that children had to take placement tests when applying is very disturbing. This is not school choice. Poor children, whom the charter law was supposed to help, are more likely to be in special ed and ELL. Where is their choice?

**annie** · 09-12-2012, 09:19 AM

Looking at the FB, parents are obviously upset and disagree with the district but recognize that it's June Brown that has put everyone, the children especially, in this position.

**raider.adam** · 09-12-2012, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by annie

Looking at the FB, parents are obviously upset and disagree with the district but recognize that it's June Brown that has put everyone, the children especially, in this position.

I am ok with them killing the school because of this. People need to start taking seriously corruption and the best way is for people to realize corruption directly impacts them. IT isn't an opportunity to just get control of a school yourself.

**annie** · 09-12-2012, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

I am ok with them killing the school because of this. People need to start taking seriously corruption and the best way is for people to realize corruption directly impacts them. IT isn't an opportunity to just get control of a school yourself.

What sucks is the weak boards of Lab and Planet Abacus (who were supposed to be providing oversight during all this) have approved a quarter of a million dollars in spending to defend the administrators charged. Of course, they have the option to ask for the money back if they decide the administrators acted improperly but good luck with that.