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A road grader sits on the construction site of Nampa Classical Academy Wednesday afternoon.
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Mike Butts
mbutts@idahopress.com
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

NAMPA — The Idaho Public Charter School Commission has asked the Nampa Classical Academy board if its teachers and administrators are "appropriately certified." In a letter to the board of directors the commission also asks about the makeup of the new charter school's board.

The local charter school meets all state standards, a school board member said Wednesday.

The commission sent those and other questions and information requests to the Nampa Classical Academy board of directors in the two-page letter dated Oct. 16. That was a day before it became public that three board members from the charter school resigned.

"They have every right to ask for these documents, and it is our obligation to supply that to them and we'll do so," non-voting school board member and operations director Isaac Moffett said.

Other questions and issues brought up in the letter are:

• A request for a "list of all employees who are related to by blood or marriage to board members."

The school has consulted with legal counsel regarding regulations about school employees and board members being related, and the academy is "within the law," Moffett said.

• Are all NCA's teachers and administrators highly qualified and appropriately certified for their respective positions?

"As far as I know everybody meets state standards," Moffett said.

• Has NCA been contacted by the State Department of Education regarding any violations, including but not limited to special education violations and employee certification violations?

The Department of Education has scheduled routine monitoring visits for special education, a department spokeswoman said. Another routine accreditation visit from the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools will also be scheduled, she said. "As far as I know we have not received any correspondence from the state regarding any issue whatsoever," Moffett said.

School officials will appear before the Charter Commission in its regular meeting Nov. 12. Moffett said he expects that meeting will be to discuss the issues raised in the letter.

The commission's letter has four separate sections with 17 different items of inquiry. The letter also asks about the charter school's employee benefits arrangement.

Nampa Classical Academy conducted a six-hour board meeting Monday with a standing-room-only crowd of parents and others. At the meeting, recent board member resignations were discussed.

"We've requested additional information to understand what's happening" with board member resignations, Public Charter School Commission Chairman Bill Goesling of Moscow said. Goesling signed the letter addressed to the board of directors.

Nampa Classical Academy also made news Sept. 1 when it filed a lawsuit against state officials to allow the school to use the Bible and other religious texts in its curriculum. The school opened in September with an enrollment of more than 500 students.

Public Charter School Commission's letter to Nampa Classicial Academy

Board of Directors

Nampa Classical Academy P.O. Box 3394

Nampa, ID 83653

Dear Nampa Classical Academy Board of Directors;

As Chairman of the Public Charter School Commission, I am concerned about recent developments at Nampa Classical Academy. For this reason, NCA has been added to the November 12, 2009 Commission meeting agenda. This will provide an opportunity for you to update the Commission regarding the status of your school as the Commission strives to fulfill its obligation as your school's authorized chartering entity.

In the meantime, please provide written answers to the following questions no later than Friday, October 23, 2009. Please be advised that the Commission does consider the information requested below to be a required report as referenced in I.e. 33-5209(2)(e). Your communications may be directed to Tamara Baysinger, Charter Schools Program Manager, at tamara.baysinger@osbe.idaho.gov and/or P.O. Box 83720,650 W. State Street, Boise, ID 83720-0037. Our staff will continue to be in contact with you in preparation for the November 12th meeting, and your questions are always welcome via email or by phone at (208) 332-1583.

Governing Board:

1. How many members does NCA presently have on its board? Provide names, offices, and term dates for both voting and ad hoc members.

2. How many board member resignations has NCA received since charter approval? Include names, dates, and reasons for resignation,

3. Have any board members been removed for reasons other than resignation? If so, include names, dates, and reasons for removal.

4. If NCA has vacant board seats, detail what action is being taken to fill these seats, how and when new members will be elected/appointed, and how and when new officers will be elected/appointed.

5. If a screening committee is to be used pursuant to your Bylaws 4.3(c), list the names of the individuals on this committee and describe their relationships to the school.

6. What is the scheduled date for NCA's next annual meeting?

Policies:

1. Please provide copies of NCA's policies regarding the following:

a. Purchasing and fiscal controls

b. Hiring and contracts, particularly regarding individuals related by blood or marriage to board members and/or other employees

c. Employee supervision, particularly regarding individuals related by blood or marriage to board members and/or other employees

Employees:

1. Please provide a list of all employees who are related by blood or marriage to board members and/or other NCA employees. 'Include names, titles, hire dates, supervisor names, and names and positions of the individual(s) involved in hiring decisions for these individuals.

2. Are all NCA's teachers and administrators highly qualified and appropriately certified for their respective positions? If not, please detail names, positions, and relevant circumstances regarding uncertified individuals, including explanations of why NCA chose to employ uncertified personnel.

3. Provide an updated organization chart and list of all administrative staff, including their hire dates and job descriptions.

Other:

1. Has NCA provided to the State Department of Education all reports necessary to secure federal Charter Start Grant funds? If not, please detail which reports are missing and the reasons for delay, as well as timelines on which these reports will be submitted and grant funds received.

2. Has NCA been contacted by the State Department of Education regarding any violations, including but not limited to special education violations and employee certification violations?

3. NCA has stated that its employees' W2s identify the employer as A Plus Benefits of Idaho; however, the contract provided is with A Plus Benefits, Inc. Please clarify which company name is correct. If possible, a copy of an actual W2 would be helpful.

4. NCA's contract with A Plus states that assigned workers shall be required to enter into an employment agreement with A Plus, and that those employment agreements are incorporated into the charter school-A Plus contract. Please clarify whether any or all of NCA's employees have signed separate employment agreements with A Plus.

S. Additionally, clarify whether all of NCA's full time employees are covered by the A plus contract; that is, are they all considered "assigned workers"? Are there any employees (full- or part-time) who are not considered assigned workers?

Thank you for your prompt attention to these matters.