Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Concrete Roses looking for money to pay teachers

Two weeks after Concrete Roses STEM Academy suddenly shut down, administrators at the charter school are trying to find a way to get more money to pay teachers for their last days of work.

WBTV, the Observer's news partner, reported earlier this week that school teachers and staff were growing worried that they won't ever see their final paychecks.

Now, an email to faculty and staff at Concrete Roses provided to the Observer lays out a few ways CEO Cedric Stone is hoping to secure the money to pay teachers.

First, some financial background: The school was originally authorized by the state to spend about $479,000 based on how many students were expected to attend. As enrollment dwindled and the school failed to turn in reports of how it spent money over the summer, the state Office of Charter Schools froze Concrete Roses' access to cash.

The school had already spent $285,170, much of it on payroll. But teachers and staff at the school say they had yet to receive paychecks for the last two weeks of classes before the school's funding was cut off.

Stone's email lays out three ways he hopes to get more money to pay them:

  • Asking the Office of Charter Schools for permission to use some of the school's allotted money.
  • Selling equipment and other assets the school still has.
  • Asking Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for money based on its enrollment through the first 20 days of class
All three methods face challenges. The Office of Charter Schools had already frozen Concrete Roses' account, and was going to be clawing back money anyway had the school stayed open.

The office also told me earlier this month that the assets of the school immediately become property of the state. And CMS is dealing with its own budget challenges related to charter school projections, and isn't going to want to give money to a school that's closed.

Stone's email ends with a warning for teachers to contact him with questions, and not to call the state or the news media.

"Allow me to leave you with a biblical verse that is very dear to to me," Stone writes. "There's a verse in the bible which states 'Never bear false witness against your neighbor!' Also, please ceast [sic] all use of the school email system immediately. Thanks in advance."

Stone didn't respond to a phone message left today.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

How absolutely sickening. Sounds like just another preacher of garbage. What a jerk. The state really needs to look into his personal accounts-- has Mr. Stone purchased a new vehicle lately, or a new house, how about a new watch. The state better getting going enacting new laws that if the books do not show the whole picture, they have a right to go into these thieves personal accounts. I wonder if Mr. Stone has read this biblical verse: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows"-Timothy 6:10.

Anonymous said...

the more time my two children spend in CMS schools, the more I get ready to home school them.

Anonymous said...

Which steals more money out of the people of Charlotte ?

"In the name of God" such as Elevation Church

or

"Its for the children" such as the Board of Education and Morrison

You make the call.

Anonymous said...

Of course I know why parents consider private, charter or home schools. They are quite smart to do so. My wife and I are so tired of the "white washing" that goes on at our son's school by CMS administration. I believe it is the size of the institution that allows some of this nonsense to go on unchecked and unquestioned.

Charles said...

Elevation. Who can take that guy seriously. I don't usually judge a person by the way they dress, but He is insulting his congregation with his coolness. Maybe he could get a job in the CMs ivory tower, he just might fit in there.

Anonymous said...

Beware:

Why parents - and teachers - should always be cautious of "Rosy" promises - traditional public school or public charter school.

The public charter school I work for - that's been in operation for 4 years - celebrated it's permanent facility ground breaking ceremony today with blessings from two current and former mayors, various city councilmen, school board members, local pastors and variety of other people deeply connected and invested in the local community. Our 1,400 student "sister" charter school- that was instrumental in helping us get off the ground - is currently ranked as one of the highest performing public schools in the state after being in operation less than 9 years. There is no doubt the charter school I work for will reach similar heights of achievement only because we have the magic "Trinity" of entities that make schools work - parents, teachers and community.

Chose with discernment.

Alicia

Anonymous said...

I could be wrong, but I do think it's only a matter of time before we see a charter school in the Ballantyne area that will eventually compete head-to-head with CMS - unless you care about football.

A successful CMS K-8 STEM or STEAM or STREAM magnet school drawing from 4-5 different districts in Ballantyne? Really? Like, Really?

Alicia

Anonymous said...

The charter school I work for never advertised my position. They didn't have to. They promoted the teacher in my current position to another position in order to hire me. I had a similar experience with a traditional public school - a hiring committee willing to "adjust" people in order to hire me. Not that I walk on water... I never made it past Project LIFT's prerecorded timed computer screen interview because, apparently, the "Lift Way" didn't coincide with "My Way".

My point? Great teachers are everywhere. So are cruddy teachers.

Choose with discernment.

Alicia






Anonymous said...

Alicia,
Could one assume that discernment means population profiling at your esteemed learning facility? FRL %? EC and special populations? ESL%?
Mckinney Vento? Problem students? I'm happy that things are going well for you and the photo ops are plentiful in the Garden of Eden.

Anonymous said...

I feel bad for the teachers.. They can't win in NC.

Anonymous said...

How did this story turn into a bash CMS thread? This is an article about how a religious guy ripped off the community/state. This has been going on for years at the Kennedy K-12.



Anonymous said...

11:42

The 34 students I teach at my "Garden of Eden" charter school - all of whom are White (with the exception of two American Indian students) include 5 students with ADHD, 1 student who has been in and out of 9 - yes 9 - foster care homes, 3 students with learning disabilities, 1 student with autism, 1 student with a meth addicted mother in jail, and 2 students who were retained after failing 5th grade last year.

And for the record, I housed a CMS McKinny Vento student for a full year.

Bring it on...

Alicia

Anonymous said...

11:42

Oh, yeah...

And did I mention the 5 kids who are scoring off the charts whose academic needs I am single handedly expected to meet also?

Care to include a name with your wisdom laden commentary?

Alicia