District severs ties with alternative school provider
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia School District by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Kristen Graham.
District severs ties with alternative school provider
Kristen Graham
The Philadelphia School District has severed ties with a for-profit alternative education company that runs alternative schools in the region.
Delaware Valley High School, which laid off its staff in July, will no longer run a disciplinary school and a program for at-risk students, as it has in the past, district officials said.
“Due to business reasons, the district decided not to enter into a new contract with DVHS,” said spokesman Fernando Gallard said Wednesday.
That decision is final, said Gallard.
Delaware Valley’s records have been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury, and the organization last month laid off 50 teachers and administrative staffers. The staffers say they are owed back pay for work performed during the 2011-12 school year.
Attorney Alan E. Casnoff, who represents Delaware Valley, disputed the district's claim and said negotiations are ongoing.
"There are some very open legal issues due to the timing of the notice, and the appropriateness of the notice," Casnoff said. "Their position may be that it's closed. Mine is that it's not."
Casnoff has said that the school is prepared for students, despite the layoff notices.
The School Reform Commission approved contracts with Delaware Valley and other alternative service providers earlier this year, but they have not been signed.
To fill the gap left by Delaware Valley, Gallard said, "we'll be working with other providers within our network."
Delaware Valley still has contracts with other area districts.
And away we go!
— brizz33- Wait...Wait. If DVHS laid off all of it's employees in July, how in the world could they provide services? Therefore, severing a contract is academic. Or does the School District still have contractual obligations with other defunct companies? Maybe it's time that they cancel their contracts with Bond Bread, Sealtest Dairy, Kiddie City, and Two-Guys too. Golly Gee, this SRC is the worst assemblage of numbskulls yet. Is there really some guy up in SDP finance that is going to authorize a check to a company that has laid off all of it's employees? Golly Gee, WTF?
- Good. Now let's end funding for Truebright and June Brown's various charters. I think that if the feds have you in the cross hairs, the tax payers shouldn't have to fund the program.— nikki1231
- Nikki, you talk a lot if ish against June Brown's schools, but have ever thought that maybe, just maybe the parents don't want these well performing schools to close? My daughter attends one of the schools she founded, and while the charges against her are horrible, she stole from the school- the school didn't steal from HER! Why do you want to punish the children, who by the way have excellent scores from the latest rankings, by closing the school? Wouldn't it be smarter just to get new people to head it? I just don't get you. You talk like a parent who couldn't get her kid into a school even if she paid for it. I see you comment on here all the time and all different subjects but know absolutely nothing. Do you have a life or are you just eternally miserable? How about you project your hatred to the person who caused the mess and not those who were victims (the kids and me since I am a taxpayer).
- there goes dvhs' profits— the lopez!
- @annoyed79: People resort to insults when their point is not valid. That's you BTW.
As for going after June brown and her charters, you have to be kidding me. This woman committed an extensive fraud to the tune of $6 million. As of now, I have read no information that leadership has changed and that she and her cronies have severed ties to the schools. Without that step, tax payer funds will be used to pay for the defense of those charged with fraud. That should be unacceptable to everyone.
Bottom line: The SRC should cut ties to all entities that are facing criminal indictments, particularly when the crimes involve the operations of the schools. It's unethical and frankly a failure to provide oversight on the part of SRC. Of course, that's nothing new so I don't expect to see it happen.— nikki1231 - DVHS owner David Shulick was a member of Governor Corbett's education transition team.
Here's info and a link to prior Inky coverage:
Posted: Mon, Jul. 23, 2012, 7:03 AM
Education firm linked to Fattah's son lays off all its teachers, administrators
By Martha Woodall Inquirer Staff Writer
Without warning, Delaware Valley High School - a for-profit education firm whose records were recently subpoenaed by a federal grand jury - has laid off all 50 teaching and administrative employees at the four alternative schools it operates in the region.
Staffers said lawyer David T. Shulick, whose company operates the schools, owes them each thousands of dollars for work during the 2011-12 academic year. They had been expecting back pay last week but got furlough notices instead.
In late February, the FBI raided Shulick's Logan Square law office, searching for documents related to Delaware Valley's relationship with Chaka "Chip" Fattah Jr., 29, whose father is U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, a Philadelphia Democrat. They also interviewed Shulick.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120723_Education_firm_linked_to_Fattah_s_son_lays_off_all_its_teachers__administrators.html
— lfeinberg - @JJJenn: You're so right. It's a scheme.— nikki1231
- We don't need disciplinary schools since the new rules allow students to curse, cut class, ignore the dress code etc.. The principals now have a lot more flexibility to ignore such minor problems and handles them in their own buildings which means those students will be free to disrupt the educational process of other students.— mindstorms
- Martingore, read more about Universal and Kenny Gamble. His hero is Farahkan and he believes everything he believes. That should tell you what you were dealing with.— legend1
- It's all about the pawn and the politics. These guys just see the troubled youth as money signs and nothing more. That is what reform is about. It's about reforming the money from public education and funneling it to buddies.— revolter
- @martingore: Your story should be a cautionary tale in this city but don't hold your breath. It really isn't about the children. It's about corporate scammers being able to earn a fast buck off of public funds. Once you understand that, you see why employees who actually run the schools and teach the children get little respect. Better luck in your next position and have a good year!— nikki1231
During the school year, you’ll frequently find her hosting live chats about the district on Philly.com. Please do pass along the scoop about what’s going on at your Philadelphia public school; Kristen welcomes tips, story ideas and witty banter at kgraham@phillynews.com or 215-854-5146.
You can also follow Kristen on Twitter here.
