Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/830448
a waiting list because he didn't fit the mold of a typical student. Heilig was dismayed and disillusioned. "I am angry that a child as bright and promising as Gary can be so easily expunged," he says. C h a r t e r s c h o o l s b y l aw c a n n o t d i s c r i m i n a t e against students based on disability, ethnicity or national origin. Yet many do. An American Civil Lib- erties Union (ACLU) report, "Unequal Access: How Some California Charter Schools Illegally Restrict Enrollment," finds that out of 1,200 charter schools in California, at least 253 (more than 20 percent) have policies that are "plainly exclusionary," such as: • Denying enrollment to and expelling students who do not have strong grades or test scores. • Denying enrollment to students who do not meet a minimum level of English proficiency. • Discouraging or precluding immigrant students from attending by requiring parents to provide Social Security numbers or proof of citizenship. • Refusing to enroll students unless their parents volunteer their time or donate money. Research shows challenging students are routinely "counseled away " from charter schools when they attempt to enroll. Unlike traditional public schools, students can be expelled without due process, and charters have a national suspension rate 16 percent higher than other public schools. Teachers at Celerity charter schools were surprised at the lavish holiday party with open bar, blackjack tables and limousine service for guests. They were also surprised to learn that the CEO charged Armani suits, expensive restaurant meals and chauffeur service on a company credit card. After all, the school wasn't providing basic sup plies such as paper, pencils and books, forcing teachers to pay out of pocket or use DonorsChoose.org. Celerity Educational Group manag es eight Southern California schools. In January, federal agents swarmed its headquarters, taking laptops and copying computer data. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Education are investingating Celerity for fraud and mismanagement. It shouldn't take the FBI to convince a charter to open its books. But Celerity has long shrugged off official scrutiny. CELERITY THE OPPOSITE OF AUSTERITY Parent Julio Rodriguez says a Celerity letter told parents if the school closes it will open under another name. While an LAUSD investigation was un der way in 2015, Celerity went national, expanding into Ohio, Florida and Loui siana. Celerity founder and CEO Vielka McFarlane — who earned $471,842 in 2013 — launched Celerity Global Devel opment, a parent company of the schools in her empire, offering herself as a consultant to other schools. Prior to the raid, LAUSD denied charter renewals for Celerity Dyad in South Los Angeles and Celerity Troika in Eagle Rock, voicing concerns about the schools' finances. On May 11, the State Board of Education voted to close Dyad and Troi ka, citing similar concerns. Celerity Dyad parent Julio Rodriguez says a letter from the school told him not to worry, because it will close and reopen under a different name if the charter is not renewed. McFarlane expensed her Armani suits for "public appearances" and spent thou sands of taxpayer dollars on fine dining. Lisa Cordero, a former Celerity Dyad teacher, told the Los Angeles Times that when McFarlane told staff "Education is a business," it sounded alarm bells. Despite the investigation, Celerity recently targeted Arminta Elementary School for "colocation." Celerity charter schools are currently operating rentfree, at taxpayer expense, at eight district schools, and are seeking space on 10 more public school campuses next year. "Celerity has violated the public trust," says United Teachers Los Angeles Presi dent Alex CaputoPearl. "Why give them more public space?" 32 cta.org FEATURE Julian Vasquez Heilig