Opposition To Proposed Charter School Intensifies - Leesburg Today Online—Daily News Coverage of Loudoun County, Leesburg, Ashburn: News

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Opposition To Proposed Charter School Intensifies

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Posted: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 8:30 am | Updated: 9:41 am, Wed Oct 10, 2012.

Concerns about Loudoun's proposed math and IT charter school's connections to a modern Islam movement came to a roar in recent days as the applicants behind the school hosted their first community outreach meeting.

Their opposition stems from reports in several news columns, including The Washington Post's “The Answer Sheet,” which have alleged that the Chesapeake Science Point, the Anne Arundel County, MD, school that the Loudoun Math and IT Academy charter application has been modeled after, has ties to Turkish clerk and modern Islam leader Fethullah Gulen. The reports have raised up a group of Loudoun residents who have offered warnings about similar ties to the Loudoun charter school applicants at every School Board meeting since August, and their comments dominated a two-hour community outreach meeting on the school last Thursday.

Access Point Public Affairs’ Mindy Williams, who serves as the spokeswoman for the charter school applicants, started her talk just as she has every other presentation about the school for more than a year: “This charter came about because of a group of Loudoun County parents, many like you in the room, after they looked at what they wanted for their children…These parents, while they were raising their children and doing their day job, took it upon themselves to look at other charter schools as a model to start one here in Loudoun.”

After highlighting the vision of a sixth- through 12th-grade academy that would offer an alternative for Loudoun’s students, Williams, standing with School Board Vice Chairman Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) and Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Janet Clarke, was hammered with questions

“Will you present the public with all of the information you’ve received about this school’s connections?” Jo-Ann Chase, Loudoun resident and former candidate for the House of Delegates, asked.

Her question was followed by several from about a dozen others peppered throughout the small audience in the Creighton’s Corner Elementary School gym, challenging every aspect of the proposed charter school. They asked whether the initial proposal work is being funded by Gulen, why they are considering offering students Turkish as one of the language courses and will the school hire teachers from within Loudoun County, referring to concerns that Chesapeake Science Point’s teachers are brought in from Turkey.

At one point Ali Gokce, one of the parents behind the charter application, stood to say he’s a mechanical engineer who’s lived in Loudoun since 2005, and he simply wants a more rigorous education for his two children. “We started with a small group of parents and it grew from there. I think all these rumors are stereotyping, basically.”

Williams told the group she only first heard of the Gulen charter school movement when she received an email about it a couple of months ago from Chase. “We’re not getting any money from any outside source,” Williams insisted, adding that she has done much of the public relations work pro bono. “I’m just a mom, and I believe in school choice and I believe in these people.”

As the questions turned into allegations, Clarke asked the group, “Do you believe there are charter schools in the United States that are not connected to the Gulen movement?”

“Yes,” most in the room answered in unison.

“I do think it’s very important that we’re absolutely sure there is no connection,” Clarke continued, “but in all fairness, we can’t draw that connection when we don’t know quite yet.”

Turgeon assured the group that the School Board would not only vet the charter application thoroughly, but continue to oversee the operation of the school if it is approved. The application is under review by Loudoun County Public Schools’ senior staff members, who will present their comments to the School Board Oct. 23. The application will then be reviewed by a committee, which is chaired by Jeff Morse (Dulles), and includes Turgeon and Brenda Sheridan (Sterling).

“I hope you have the confidence in us that we’ll look at every aspect of this application,” she said, adding that while it is too early in the process to know whether she will support the Loudoun Math and IT Academy, she and most of the other nine School Board members have expressed their support for charter schools and other public school options within Loudoun. “Loudoun County does have an excellent education system with excellent teachers…but I am adamantly against a one-size-fits-all school system.”

The same individuals attending last Thursday’s community outreach meeting also listed their concerns at the Sept. 25 School Board meeting. Rachel Sargent pointed out that Ali Bicak is one of the founding members of Chesapeake Science Point and that Fatih Kandil, listed as an applicant for the Loudoun charter school, is a former principal of Chesapeake Science Point and was the director of the Horizon Science Academy in Ohio, which has also been accused of ties with Gulen.

“There’s a trend here I’m hoping you see,” Sargent said.

The charter application doesn’t hide the fact that both Bicak and Kandil’s have experience at the Maryland charter school, and lists Kandil as a South Riding resident with two children in Loudoun’s public schools.

School Board member Bill Fox (Leesburg) responded to Sargent’s and the others’ comments from the dais Sept. 25 saying that while he would look into concerns from those opposed to the Loudoun Math and IT Academy, he would not give weight to comments such as the fact that several of the applicants are Turkish.

“I don’t think we should be in the business of discriminating against an organization based on racial makeup, or saying that if there’s a strong Turkish influence that there will be some unconstitutional influence of religion anymore than saying because our curriculum committee has two people who graduated from BYU [Brigham Young University] there is any religious influence over our curriculum,” he said.

Williams said she doesn’t believe the small group opposing the charter school in Loudoun accurately represents the community’s interest. “We have received a lot of feedback from people who are excited about the possibility of a math and IT charter school.”

Loudoun Math and IT Academy's next community meeting is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Dulles South Multipurpose Center, 24950 Riding Center Drive, in South Riding.

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10 comments:

  • Bilal_Ghayur posted at 3:21 pm on Wed, Dec 12, 2012.

    Bilal_Ghayur Posts: 1

    Unfortunately the media is full of inaccurate information and omissions about the charter school. This charter School has done well in Texas and other states. As a parent, I am only concerned about the educational part of the analysis. If they are not good enough, they would go out of business before you know so why do you have to lobby and spread Turkish/Moslem hate as the only argument on defeating a charter school. To me more choices are better than less.

    Also, if they have been showing better results in all other states, they must have something that works for them. In fact, if they don't comply with the public school norms, it might be a blessing. I think, the public school system should be overhauled if not dismantled. What are people afraid of - Turkish teacher might convert our kids to some way or form of radical cult? Please, make sense and stop the bigotry. By the way the school staff also has degrees from Brigham Young University... would that be taken negative perhaps those folks are overly "Mormons". We all know that charter school money is to be spent on student and they are not for profit. Please stop the nonsense and hate. If this or any other school teaches or gets involved in anything out of ordinary, they would have to close it so why these false accusation? Please go read about the school, school's performance, fund utilization, standards and philosophy. You'll be surprised that they are excellent and they would only bring good to the community. Turkish are very nice people besides it is very low of media even to accept articles on such hate based topics. What's next... should you start the same for ethnic group or religion for every business and other affairs. Please accept the diversity and learn to live with it.

     
  • Cagler Ucan posted at 2:12 am on Mon, Oct 15, 2012.

    Cagler Ucan Posts: 8

    charter advocate,
    one only has to read the books by F. Gulen and know why hocaefendi stands for peacebuilding through education. these people are just jealous of our success with charter schools and attack us, to the point one of our schools in Georgia - Fulton Science Academy was denied it's renewal. However, we are so successful we were able to turn this school into a private school with over 1,200 on the waiting list.
    our education is second to none, only Mexico and Chile come close to our world ranking in education. that is why America needs us.
    [smile]

     
  • Charter Advocate posted at 12:52 pm on Sat, Oct 13, 2012.

    Charter Advocate Posts: 4

    There is nothing wrong with those charter schools operated by Turkish origin professionals working at those Public Schools of our Country: http://so-calledgulencharterschools.blogspot.com/2012/07/an-effort-to-defame-successful-charter.html

    Please remember: This country's next generations deserve a good quality public educations.

     
  • electorate_me posted at 8:39 pm on Fri, Oct 12, 2012.

    electorate_me Posts: 4

    A public discussion of this can be held at Loudoun County's own www.Electorate.Me. If you attended or have something thoughtful to say, we hope to see you there.

     
  • gulennewsfraud posted at 2:36 am on Fri, Oct 12, 2012.

    gulennewsfraud Posts: 3

    Here is another parent with concerns about about another Gulen School again lets examine behaviors actions and deeds. When the FBI comes knocking at your door in regards to children's school and trips to Turkey it is a big red flag. We should examine for the sake of transparency how much Williams gets for her mouth piece service. Did she get a free trip to Turkey to? Also what are the names of these parents who hap haphazardly ran into the arms of the Gulen Movement begging for a school. Seems dubious to me. Also this particular school is directly under the same umbrella as the Minneapolis School of Science that is being sued by the ACLU or kicking out 40 handicapped kids for bringing down their image and state test scores. Oh,... Anything for that blue ribbon claim even at the expense of special needs children Harmoy Science in Texas didn't kick out their special kids however they just took that Federal grant check and deposited directly into payroll. Glad the Turkish administrators there enjoyed their bonus. Even though 40% is kicked back into the movement.

    http://georgiacharterschooldisgrace.com/

    You would be crazy to give these guys access to your personal information when you enroll your child, access to public funds and direct contact to your children.

     
  • gulennewsfraud posted at 12:11 am on Fri, Oct 12, 2012.

    gulennewsfraud Posts: 3

    @ cagler, So you admit then that your schools wash out non performing students instead of helping them to achieve? Is that what you mean by fail at your school. If Gulen is about love and peace then why is he getting sued in court for the the deaths o 36 Kurdish children after placing a fatwa on the Kurdish people. Never the less he does nothing for the 175 jailed journalists mostly because he put them there. So much for love and peace right ? This is nothing to do with Islam or Islamophobia because your group is hardly Isamic but a cult . In fact your cult is not even recognized by mainstream Islam and your mosques and schools have been burned down in Lebanon and in Egypt. Iraq is now giving your schools to move along or else. So with that being said it is your actions, attitudes and behaviors that draws attention to yourselves as criminal activities. So by crying Islamophobia are you also stating these behaviors are a part of being Islamic or is just indigenous to the Gulen Movement ? I already have taken my child out of that one school. Again your behaviors got you into trouble. Sexually harassing a 13 year old girl and then trying to cover it up is really bad thing. Second threatening to sue me instead of apologizing or your groups negligent and gruesome behavior was even more stupid in fact I find it bizarre even frightening that a school would take such a tactic to threaten a parent for your own misgivings. Then to threaten again to sue to silence me when telling others of my experience with your school. You may get away literally with murdering and jailing people in Turkey but this the United States. We will see how long it takes for you to keep exploiting your freedoms before you are all wound up in prison and even deported under the RICO act and many other various scams.

     
  • Cagler Ucan posted at 11:38 pm on Thu, Oct 11, 2012.

    Cagler Ucan Posts: 8

    So what is your problem gulennewsfraud, you honk all over the Internet as if we cannot see you are just Islamophobe and hater.
    Why cannot Turkish people start charter schools in America or where ever they please, it is our rights and America guarantees these rights for us.

    Mr. Gulen is good man, and preaches love, peace and tolerance for all mankind. What have you done for humanity Mr. Hater?
    Nothing except honk, honk, honk, you are made because your kid failed at our schools, you don't like it you took her out. That is your choice.

    haters gotta hate.
    http://www.gulenschools.org
    [smile]

     
  • gulennewsfraud posted at 8:07 pm on Thu, Oct 11, 2012.

    gulennewsfraud Posts: 3

    This CULT movement is also currently under FIVE FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS !! With that being said it would not be a safe way to secure your money or your child's future. It would be in the community's best interest to research and study the behaviors of this crime wave via the charter schools. We have had reports where teachers are forced to change the grades of failing students to please the parents and state standards. This also includes changing answers on state and AIMS testing. The evidence is overwhelming of their connection to Gulen Movement and his vision of creating a golden generation. Gulen has already mentioned that American children are not worthy of his vision. Gulen believes your children are just future pawns for his glory in restoring the Ottoman Turkey. He is worth over 25 billion dollars, lives in Pa. after being chased out of Turkey to avoid prison and now his cult pretty much controls the gov and the police there. The H1-b visa scam is just a way of getting his cult members here to extort 40% of there pay back to the movement where the money is then wired back to Turkey. As a teacher you are putting your lic. on the line. Many schools have reported that if you conflict them (Turkish staff) they retaliate by jerking your Lic. Even though the Turkish staff is not education certified. I am sure the Turkish staff already lied and told members of the community that Turkey is the highest in math and science. THis is a false claim Turkey is at the bottom the list almost below the standards of Mexico and Chili. Already they come out the gate lying to you. You as members of the community should investigate the real people who made the choice to have this school in your town. Who got the free trip to Turkey who got the free dinners and awards and who got donations for their campaign. Even there own Cult leader was too scared to come out the open with the media. Google Gulen Charter Schools 60 Minutes. You can also Google Gulen Charter Schools FBI and Gulen Charter Schools CNN and Gulen Charter schools CBN news. The school is a false front to launder money, dumb down your kids, and to bring in fellow cult members to open business using the school as as spring board to get into the country.

     
  • charterschoolwatchdog posted at 12:21 pm on Tue, Oct 9, 2012.

    charterschoolwatchdog Posts: 4

    Corrected paragraph:

    It is naive to accept their claim that they are only out for the best interests of American children and their education. If that be the case, why aren't they in Turkey helping to educate their children whose academic standards falls near the bottom of the world spectrum of education?

    http://www.charterschoolwatchdog.com

     
  • charterschoolwatchdog posted at 12:18 pm on Tue, Oct 9, 2012.

    charterschoolwatchdog Posts: 4

    The parents have every reason to be concerned and their efforts and concerns to prevent the opening of Loudon Math and IT should be carefully evaluated and weighed before the Board allows this school to open.

    There is absolutely no doubt that the proposed school and its founders are part of the Gulen organization, contrary to their claims. Clearly, they know that if in fact they own up to their association it will shoot down any chances of them opening up the schools for good reason.

    This is not about being anti-Turkish or Muslim, it is about a seductive cult that has systematically infiltrated our education system simply because they could -- and will continue to do so unless we -- the American taxpayers -- take a stand and put an end to it.

    This organization has multiple goals -- to launder money, exploit their own Turkish employees, extorting money from them, discriminate against American teachers, and use the schools as a means to import their own fellow cult members by using the H1-B visa scam -- claiming that there is a shortage of qualified American teachers.

    We have been investigating this organization and its internal operations for over 4 years and it is crystal clear that their collective agenda is both dubious and sinister.

    It is naive to accept their claim that they are only out for the best interests of American children and their education. If that be the case, why aren't they in Turkey helping to educate their children whose academic standards falls near the world spectrum of education?

    Continue to investigate, continue to question, and most of all -- stop them from opening another school using our tax dollars.