- FACT: Cosmos Foundation, Inc.'s IRS 990 forms for 2006 ... 2007
... 2008 ... 2009 are not available on the Cosmos/Harmony
websites. - FACT: For the average Texas taxpayer to find the most recent
names of Cosmos Foundation, Inc. board members, they have to
go to Guidestar & look for CFI's IRS 990 forms such as this. - FACT: Cosmos Foundation, Inc. has hired Burson Marsteller
VP/Global Communications (and former White House staffer) Karen
Hughes to help them pass Senator Florence Shapiro's SB 597
which would give CFI and other charter operators unimpeded
access to our children's money (the PSF fund) as guarantees for
their construction bonds. - FACT: As a condition of Cosmos Foundation, Inc.'s public charity
status with the IRS, they are required to open their books to the
public. - FACT: The two databases Cosmos Foundation, Inc. posts online
apppear to require a password to access. - FACT: Most Cosmos Foundation, Inc. charter applicants (see chart
above) appear to be Turkish-educated and to have first worked in
Turkey. - FACT: The US DOE is using the federal grant process to
undermine local control of public schools. Example: This TCEP
$10 million grant.
| Other than the fact that Karen Hughes has declined to state how much cash she's receiving for her, uh, help with the bond bills, what's the problem with charter schools wanting their PSF bond bills passed? |
| RECENTLY KNOWN CURRENT COSMOS FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD MEMBERS AS OF FY 2008 (per IRS 990 at GuideStar) |
| P E Y T O N W O L C O T T |
How we take back our children's education: one person, one question, one school at a time. |
| FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of education issues vital to a republic. We believe this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C., Chapter 1, Section 107 which states: the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright," the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond "fair use" you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. |
| ATTENTION EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS: Every attempt possible has been made to verify all sources and information. In the event you feel an error has been made, please contact us immediately. Thank you. NOTICE: All individuals mentioned on this site are presumed innocent unless they have been found guilty in a court of law. |
| Copyright 1999-2011 Peyton Wolcott |
"Walk softly and carry a big stick." -- Teddy Roosevelt "Trust but verify." -- Ronald Reagan |
| Just because you can doesn't mean you should. |
| H o w w e t a k e b a c k o u r c h i l d r e n ' s e d u c a t i o n : o n e p e r s o n , o n e q u e s t i o n , o n e s c h o o l a t a t i m e . F o l l o w t h e m o n e y , h o n e y ! |
| Texas Hill Country - Mesquite and Wildflowers Boerne |
| A day in pictures: Turkish-run Harmony "Public" Schools go the the Texas Lege ( May 11, 2011 ) |
| Bringing you the information and tools you need in order to improve public education and lower taxes and spending; during the past two decades of the voucher debate an entire generation has grown up in the public school system. If you don't think this is important look at the Nov. 2008 election where folks voted based on emotions and hope rather than facts. Let's put a stop to the school-to-prison pipeline -- and keep our public schools locally run, strong and free.. |
The 13 states who have stood up
to the feds and declined to apply
for Phase II of Race to the Top:
to the feds and declined to apply
for Phase II of Race to the Top:
13
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
| About the "Don't Tread on Me" Gadsden flag: "it was in the fall of 1775 when the United States Navy was established. Their main job was to intercept British ships who were attempting to deliver supplies to the British troups in the colonies. To support the Navy, five companies of Marines were mustered to accompany them on their first mission. These first Marines originated from Philadelphia and carried drums painted yellow with a coiled rattlesnake with thirteen rattles. These thirteen rattles represented the original thirteen colonies. The motto painted on these drums was "Don't Tread On Me". This is the first recorded telling of what the future Gadsden flag would symbolize. This flag was designed and named after American patriot Christopher Gadsden." (SOURCE) |
| June 2011 |
| ONER U CELEPCIKAY |
| MUSTAFA ATIK |
| KADIR ALMUS |
| ELLEN A MACDONAL |
| DR. SONER TARIM |
| BILAL AKIN |
| CENGIZHAN KESKIN |
| DR. IBRAHIM SEL |
Texas: Land of Charters -- and Economic
Opportunity (SB 597 & HB 1437)
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, April 4, 2011 - Updated Tuesday, April 5, 2011
In 1995, state senator Bill Ratliff rewrote the Texas Education Code -- big-time.
Other than paving the way for a lucrative career as a lobbyist for both himself and
his son Thomas (Microsoft, etc.), this accomplished several things (more below)
including the establishment of charter schools in Texas. But Bill forgot to include
proof of US citizenship for appointed charter school board members.
Opportunity (SB 597 & HB 1437)
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, April 4, 2011 - Updated Tuesday, April 5, 2011
In 1995, state senator Bill Ratliff rewrote the Texas Education Code -- big-time.
Other than paving the way for a lucrative career as a lobbyist for both himself and
his son Thomas (Microsoft, etc.), this accomplished several things (more below)
including the establishment of charter schools in Texas. But Bill forgot to include
proof of US citizenship for appointed charter school board members.
| In depicting the fictitious character Borat, American actor Sasha Baron Cohen tapped into immigrants' yearning for a better and more prosperous life in the United States. |
Sen. Florence
Shapiro's SB 597 &
Rep. Rob Eissler's
sleeper, HB 1437
Until this year, so long as
charter schools were content
to lease those empty
Shapiro's SB 597 &
Rep. Rob Eissler's
sleeper, HB 1437
Until this year, so long as
charter schools were content
to lease those empty
Harmony charter schools' & Cosmos Foundation,
Inc.'s ties to Turkey (view larger here).
Inc.'s ties to Turkey (view larger here).
Curious about Cosmos
Foundation, Inc.?
.
Want to know more about their
Harmony charter school operation
in Texas ? (NOTE: New PW
webpages in red)
Foundation, Inc.?
.
Want to know more about their
Harmony charter school operation
in Texas ? (NOTE: New PW
webpages in red)
Despite widespread rumors,
Cosmos Foundation, Inc.
officials have long denied any
connection to Turkish Muslim
imam Fethullah Gulen. "I've
never met him," one said.
"Prove it," their supporters say.
Cosmos Foundation, Inc.
officials have long denied any
connection to Turkish Muslim
imam Fethullah Gulen. "I've
never met him," one said.
"Prove it," their supporters say.
- FACT: Cosmos has hired former
White House staffer Karen
Hughes to do their bond PR--but
even though she calls them
Harmony "Public" Schools, she
won't say how much they're
paying her or her company,
Burson-Marsteller. - FACT: Neither Karen Hughes
nor BM's PR officer have
responded to phone calls or
emails regarding her work for
Cosmos. - FACT: Although Cosmos hired
Karen to help them pass SB 597,
neither she nor they attended the
bill's public hearing on March 22,
2011; queries for Karen. - FACT: Cosmos superintendent
Soner Tarim has not responded
to numerous queries other a
June 5, 2010 email stating that
he would send the information
the following week--which he
has not done as of April 2011.
- FACT: TEA paid Cosmos
Foundation, Inc. $68 million
(includes $1.2 million from the
ARRA Stimulus) during 2010-
2011; prior years here. - FACT: Arne Duncan has given
Cosmos Foundation, Inc. an
additional $2 million in tax
money-funded grants.
But now the charter operators have
gone all glitzy on us and want a
piece of the Texas plum pie, a
guarantee by the Permanent School
Fund (the PSF is the endowment
that allocates monies for free
textbooks to Texas public school
gone all glitzy on us and want a
piece of the Texas plum pie, a
guarantee by the Permanent School
Fund (the PSF is the endowment
that allocates monies for free
textbooks to Texas public school
| Pastor's $3 million A pastor who ran a Houston charter school once said to exemplify charter school problems was arrested Thursday along with three family members on charges of misappropriating $3 million in state and federal education funds. The Rev. Harold W. Wilcox, former head of the now-defunct Prepared Table charter school and pastor of the Greater Progressive Baptist Church, and three relatives were arrested at their homes. The four are accused of pocketing money from the federal school lunch and breakfast program for poor children, among other programs. Wilcox is accused of using $51,000 in school funds to make a down payment on a house. "The real victims are the children who went to school and suffered from the services they did not receive," U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby said. (Houston Chronicle) |
Like old-time sleeper cells, charter
operators have mostly been content
to keep a low profile, renting empty
storefronts and doing their best,
some like KIPP telling us
enthusiastically and often about their
achievements, others like Houston
pastor Harold Wilcox or San Antonio
superintendent Roi Garcia, failing
miserably (see links to news stories
below).
operators have mostly been content
to keep a low profile, renting empty
storefronts and doing their best,
some like KIPP telling us
enthusiastically and often about their
achievements, others like Houston
pastor Harold Wilcox or San Antonio
superintendent Roi Garcia, failing
miserably (see links to news stories
below).
| What's "KIPP"? According to her obituary in the Washington Post, KIPP inspiration Harriet Ball taught her students this mantra: "Knowledge is power, power is money, and I want it." |
The largest of the Texas charter operators, Cosmos
Foundation, Inc., has even hired no less than Karen
Hughes of PR heavyweights Burson-Marsteller to --
uh, what's the word I'm looking for -- help Cosmos
pass the school construction bond bills.
Foundation, Inc., has even hired no less than Karen
Hughes of PR heavyweights Burson-Marsteller to --
uh, what's the word I'm looking for -- help Cosmos
pass the school construction bond bills.
| ...APRIL 4, 2011: 14 NEW REPORTS - A CLOSER LOOK AT THE COSMOS ...FOUNDATION, INC. / HARMONY SCHOOL CHARTER OPERATION IN TEXAS |
- FACT: Even though Cosmos is
now calling their charter operation
"Harmony Public Schools"
nothing about them seems public
as none of the names of their
board members, administrators,
teachers or other staff appear on
any of their websites. So we went
looking: - FACT: Cosmos superintendent
Soner Tarim's side consulting
business is not in good standing
with the Texas comptroller. - FACT: Cosmos VP Ellen
MacDonald's business is also
not in good standing with the
Texas Comptroller. - FACT: Cosmos board treasurer
Mustafa Ata Atik, a Baylor MD,
ordered 152 Italian mattress
bases for his side business, a
small grocery. (Why? Any ideas?)
- Sept. 1996: Ali Yavuz Zeybek
began working as Vice Presi-
dent of Academic Affairs at
Süleyman Demirel University
(SDU), in Almaty, Kazakhstan. - Dec. 17, 1996: SDU officially
opened its doors. The SD in
SDU: Name of Turkey's forner
prime minister and president. - Dec. 17: Why? Muslim poet
Rumi died on Dec. 17, 1273
(in Turkey); just as other
religions consider the day
their founder died holy, so do
Sufis and other Muslims. - Fethullah Gulen calls himself
on his website "a modern day
Rumi" and Gulen is honorary
president of the Rumi Forum. - Dec. 24, 1997: Süleyman
Demirel accepted a Harmony
award from a group for which
Gulen is honorary chair.
NOTES:
- SDU was not named after the
president of Kazakhstan but
after the president of Turkey,
Suleyman Demeril. - SDU in Kazakhstan ranks
10123rd among the world's
universities and appears to
have approximately 110 faculty
members and over 1000
students. A new university, it
appears to only offer bachelor
degrees. - SDU in KZ is not to be
confused with the institution of
the same name in Turkey with
39,000 students. - The Turkish SDU partners with
both Ohio State U. and Iowa
State U.
| The above chart was compiled with information from the Texas Education Agency; see it full size here, |
| Connecting the dots: Cosmos . . . . . Gulen |
| Karen Hughes welcoming the Cosmos crowd at the invitation-only bond luncheon they hosted at the Austin Omni. |
- More about Turkish
president Suleyman
Demirel's award from the
"leading Arabic International
Daily" Asharq Alawsat: "In
1997, Turkish president
Suleyman Demirel accepted
a prize from Fethullah Gulen’
s educational institution." - Q: Wouldn't Ali Yavuz
Zeybek have had to have
known about the prize as he
was VP at SDU when the it
was given and it was and
still is a very small institution. - Turkish scholar Bayram
Balci (Institut Français d’
Etudes sur l’Asie Centrale in
Grenoble, France) connects
Gulen to SDU: "The largest
number of [Gulen-
associated] schools is at
the moment in Kazakhstan
where the cemaat now runs
28 high schools and the
Süleyman Demirel
University." (More below.)
| From "Fethullah Gulen's Website": Night for Encouragement of National Harmony December 25, 1997, The "Tolerance and Dialogue" message had been launched in January, 1995, at a magnificent ceremony organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation in the Ciragan Hotel, and its banner had been carried by the Foundation and its Honorary President, M. Fethullah Gulen. Unfortunately, however, with time this message was given less attention. The enthusiasm of those who until that time had wanted to live together under an umbrella of pluralism and multi-culturalism in social harmony had dwindled; instead, there were discussions with vague criteria and polarization. Taking these factors into consideration, the Journalists and Writers Foundation organized the "National Harmony Awards" on December 24, 1997, and presented awards to well-known figures in our country, including Turkish President Süleyman Demirel. |
- QUESTION: Is SDU in Kazakhstan a Gulen-connected school? Many
people are beginning to think so, such as this source: http:
//turkishinvitations.weebly.com/every-continent-but-antarctica.html.
- Aug. 1999: Ali Yavuz Zeybek left
his job as VP-Academic Affairs
at SDU in Kazakhstan. - Jan. 2000: 4 months later, Ali
surfaced in Texas applying to
open a Cosmos charter school
as its president. Name of the
charter school: Harmony
Science Academy. In 2007 Ali
surfaced in Canada -- talking
about the Gulen movement.
More here.
| Dec. 24, 1997 Harmony awards (PHOTO COURTESY--Fethullah Gulen's Web Site) |
How's this:
And more here:
MORE FACTS:
What then-state senator Bill Ratliff's SB 1 wrought in 1995:
|
At least two Cosmos Foundation, Inc. officials have
non-Cosmos businesses that are not in good standing
(as of this morning) with the Texas Comptroller. They are
superintendent Soner Tarim and board VP Ellen A.
MacDonald. There may be more or these two may be the
only ones; they are the only two I've researched so far.
Also, Soner, the superintendent, still has no SBEC
certification after a decade at the helm. See chart here.
All charter schools are not created equal. At the very least
requiring all of our charter operators to be US citizens, to
have annual GAAP audits and to put their check registers
online will go a long way towards leveling the playing field.
As I learn more I will share it with you as soon as is
feasible. Our schoolchildren deserve for the grownups in
their lives to be better informed on this than we have been.
non-Cosmos businesses that are not in good standing
(as of this morning) with the Texas Comptroller. They are
superintendent Soner Tarim and board VP Ellen A.
MacDonald. There may be more or these two may be the
only ones; they are the only two I've researched so far.
Also, Soner, the superintendent, still has no SBEC
certification after a decade at the helm. See chart here.
All charter schools are not created equal. At the very least
requiring all of our charter operators to be US citizens, to
have annual GAAP audits and to put their check registers
online will go a long way towards leveling the playing field.
As I learn more I will share it with you as soon as is
feasible. Our schoolchildren deserve for the grownups in
their lives to be better informed on this than we have been.
| NEW: APRIL 5, 2011: "FETHULLAH GULEN'S WEB SITE" INFORMATION HERE |
students) for their school construction bonds, just like at public school districts.
storefronts, whether or not Texas charter operators were
citizens of the United States of America was relatively moot.
citizens of the United States of America was relatively moot.
But now with their wanting access to the PSF the issue of
US citizenship becomes very important indeed.
The local ISDs who also have access to the PSF as a
guarantee for their construction bonds are governed by
elected trustees, all of whom must be US citizens. When
they run for office we get to vet them for ourselves.
Not so with our charter operators. When folks get off the
plane from another country and apply to the State of Texas
to start up a charter school, TEA does not ask whether or
not they are US citizens because, remember, Bill Ratliff did
not include US citizenship requirements in his 1995 SB1.
And because charter school operations are run by boards
who are appointed, not elected, they do not go through the
same vetting process as do elected officials.
US citizenship becomes very important indeed.
The local ISDs who also have access to the PSF as a
guarantee for their construction bonds are governed by
elected trustees, all of whom must be US citizens. When
they run for office we get to vet them for ourselves.
Not so with our charter operators. When folks get off the
plane from another country and apply to the State of Texas
to start up a charter school, TEA does not ask whether or
not they are US citizens because, remember, Bill Ratliff did
not include US citizenship requirements in his 1995 SB1.
And because charter school operations are run by boards
who are appointed, not elected, they do not go through the
same vetting process as do elected officials.
Link to San Antonio Express-News article re Roi Garcia/San Antonio Prep Academy & TEA audit findings:
www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/TEA-alleges-illegalities-at-district-1320246.php
Link to Houston Chronicle article re Pastor Harold Wilcox's $3 million problems at his charter school:
www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/2658525.html
www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/TEA-alleges-illegalities-at-district-1320246.php
Link to Houston Chronicle article re Pastor Harold Wilcox's $3 million problems at his charter school:
www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/2658525.html
| SOURCE--Cosmos Foundation, Inc. |
"Oops" moment when student exhibit
hovercraft almost started down the
steps of the Capitol (below).
hovercraft almost started down the
steps of the Capitol (below).
Seven men and 1 woman who accompanied Harmony "Public" School
students to the Texas Legislature; I attempted to ask as many as possible for
their names but not everybody was willing to let me talk to them. Above with
camera is Levent Sakar from Harmony Science Academy in Houston. The
woman above right when asked her name said something that sounds like
"Rakayet" -- will attempt to verify this with Cosmos/ Harmony
superintendent Soner Tarim as it was difficult to understand her. Below is
Bilgehan Yasar. That's Zekeriya Yuksel (above right in orange T-shirt),
currently living in San Antonio. (PHOTOS--Peyton Wolcott)
students to the Texas Legislature; I attempted to ask as many as possible for
their names but not everybody was willing to let me talk to them. Above with
camera is Levent Sakar from Harmony Science Academy in Houston. The
woman above right when asked her name said something that sounds like
"Rakayet" -- will attempt to verify this with Cosmos/ Harmony
superintendent Soner Tarim as it was difficult to understand her. Below is
Bilgehan Yasar. That's Zekeriya Yuksel (above right in orange T-shirt),
currently living in San Antonio. (PHOTOS--Peyton Wolcott)
| Above, Harmony charter school students leaving Capitol Rotunda to return home. At left, Harmony senior student Soung Park of Houston said he will attend Rhode Island School of Design this fall; among the more fashionably attired of the male students attending the Lege event, Soung was wearing two blue rhinestone barrettes in his hair and pink rubber bands on his braces. The Harmony charter student with him said she was a sophomore. |
| SB 31: 5th attempt (in 4 months) to give all Texas charter schools -- including the Turkish-run Cosmos Foundation/Harmony charter operation -- a Permanent School Fund guarantee for their construction bonds. Hearing: Today in Austin at Lege before these state senators .... who have accepted Texas charter cash & Turkey travel |
Does Turkish imam Fethullah Gulen, living in exile in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania,
compare himself to Albert Einstein? Do his followers and supporters make such a comparison?
Here's an excerpt from an article on Fethullah Gulen's own website, "The Einstein of the Islamic World":
"The most striking words came during the discussion session of the conference where general
assessments were made. The last speaker of the discussion session, Professor Simon Robinson of Leeds
Metropolitan University, said the final words after assessing the conference itself and the worldwide
activities of the Gülen movement, which the conference focused on. In his address he said, 'Fethullah
Gülen is the Einstein of the Islamic world.'" Read the entire article here.
compare himself to Albert Einstein? Do his followers and supporters make such a comparison?
Here's an excerpt from an article on Fethullah Gulen's own website, "The Einstein of the Islamic World":
"The most striking words came during the discussion session of the conference where general
assessments were made. The last speaker of the discussion session, Professor Simon Robinson of Leeds
Metropolitan University, said the final words after assessing the conference itself and the worldwide
activities of the Gülen movement, which the conference focused on. In his address he said, 'Fethullah
Gülen is the Einstein of the Islamic world.'" Read the entire article here.
Student T-shirt: |
| Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. --Albert Einstein |
TURKS IN TEXAS
Why SB 597, now pending at the Texas Lege,
matters to you
Why SB 597, now pending at the Texas Lege,
matters to you
With 34 Turkish charter campuses, Texas has more Turkish run
charter schools than any other state in the nation.
Florence Shapiro's SB 597,
now pending at the Lege,
would grant charter operators'
appointed boards the same
access to a Permanent
School Fund (our children's
textbook money) guarantee
for their construction bonds
as enjoyed by our local
elected school trustees.
Blah, blah, blah
Lots of words. What do they really mean and why should you care?
Especially if you're in one of the 25 states with fewer Turkish-run
charter schools than we have?
Or say you're in one of the 24 states that
does not have any Turkish charter
school or even in a state like Alabama
that has no charter schools at all.
Why should a fairly arcane
piece of legislation in Texas
matter to you?
One thing we've observed about Turkish
charter school operators is that whatever
happens in one state happens in others.
If our Turkish charter operators have
asked for a complicated hard-to-explain loophole here that would
enable them to expand faster and bigger, tag, you're it . . . something
similar's likely coming soon to your state.
The good news is that before SB 597 left the House Ways & Means
committee last Wednesday afternoon all 3 of the amendments we've
requested were added:
charter schools than any other state in the nation.
Florence Shapiro's SB 597,
now pending at the Lege,
would grant charter operators'
appointed boards the same
access to a Permanent
School Fund (our children's
textbook money) guarantee
for their construction bonds
as enjoyed by our local
elected school trustees.
Blah, blah, blah
Lots of words. What do they really mean and why should you care?
Especially if you're in one of the 25 states with fewer Turkish-run
charter schools than we have?
Or say you're in one of the 24 states that
does not have any Turkish charter
school or even in a state like Alabama
that has no charter schools at all.
Why should a fairly arcane
piece of legislation in Texas
matter to you?
One thing we've observed about Turkish
charter school operators is that whatever
happens in one state happens in others.
If our Turkish charter operators have
asked for a complicated hard-to-explain loophole here that would
enable them to expand faster and bigger, tag, you're it . . . something
similar's likely coming soon to your state.
The good news is that before SB 597 left the House Ways & Means
committee last Wednesday afternoon all 3 of the amendments we've
requested were added:
- Proof of US citizenship for all appointed charter operator board
members (as required for elected school board members) &
top 5 highest paid administrators. - Names, titles & bios posted online for all board members and
leadership team--as charter operator KIPP is already doing. - Check registers posted online; 70% of all Texas ISD local
school dollars are already online so this also is no stretch.
| Why so many Turks in Texas? Why was Texas singled out for so much aggressive expansion by the Turks? Is it our robust economy? Our lax charter school regs? With 34 Turkish charter campuses, more than any other state, nothing against the fine Turkish nation--despite its problem with dirty laundry and the recent arrests of 68 journalists--but no one with whom I've spoken can name a comparable French or Irish or Brazilian inroad into US public education. Can you? |
Encouraging -- but there are many steps between now and the time SB
597 reaches the Governor's desk including the very real possibility that
Mrs. Shapiro could strip her bill of all 3 house amendments when it
returns to the senate. Watch SB 597's movements here.
Meanwhile, here's a thought: The Cosmos Foundation has imported
1200-1400 Turkish males on H1B visas; this was told to me by a former
state official on condition of confidentiality and this person has no
reason to lie or to stretch the truth. Where are the Turkish males now,
he asked. Are they all still in Texas or have some migrated around the
US and elsewhere around the world? What skills have they picked up
along the way? Suppose they become upset about something; how
would they voice their discontent? To whom? And where? Good
questions all.
Let's hope our legislators come up with some answers before allowing
our Turkish friends access to our PSF guarantee for their construction
bonds. Proof of US citizenship is still the best test of our Cosmos
Foundation charter operator friends' sincerity -- followed by full
disclosure to the public of the identities of their board members and
administrators -- followed by opening up their books via online check
registers.
597 reaches the Governor's desk including the very real possibility that
Mrs. Shapiro could strip her bill of all 3 house amendments when it
returns to the senate. Watch SB 597's movements here.
Meanwhile, here's a thought: The Cosmos Foundation has imported
1200-1400 Turkish males on H1B visas; this was told to me by a former
state official on condition of confidentiality and this person has no
reason to lie or to stretch the truth. Where are the Turkish males now,
he asked. Are they all still in Texas or have some migrated around the
US and elsewhere around the world? What skills have they picked up
along the way? Suppose they become upset about something; how
would they voice their discontent? To whom? And where? Good
questions all.
Let's hope our legislators come up with some answers before allowing
our Turkish friends access to our PSF guarantee for their construction
bonds. Proof of US citizenship is still the best test of our Cosmos
Foundation charter operator friends' sincerity -- followed by full
disclosure to the public of the identities of their board members and
administrators -- followed by opening up their books via online check
registers.
| Texas senate (March 22, 2011). |
| (L) Texas senate education committee testifiers on March 22, 2011; (R) Florence Shapiro, SB 597 author & chair of senate ed committee. |
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, May 23, 2011 / Updated 11:53 a.m.
Monday, May 23, 2011 / Updated 11:53 a.m.
- SB 597 is dead.
- SB 127, the "charter school omnibus bill," is dead.
- SB 1181 amendment by Rep. Mike Villarreal
(withdrawn on May 20) would have granted the PSF guarantee--
but without the 3 fiduciary duty-of-care points. NOTE: Rep. Jose
Mendenez, sole author of HR 235 honoring Harmony schools on
their 10th anniversary, recently circulated this flyer to the Lege
from Harmony against the 3 amendments; can you spot their
grammar errors? With 2 errors on an important document to the
Texas House can Harmony really call themselves "one of the
most successful" and "high performing"? And if Harmony's going
to claim "0% Drop-out" and a "100% Graduation rate" where's the
proof? Anybody can claim anything. Rather than asking us to
take their word for it, why not open their books to the public?
UPDATE RE PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND
GUARANTEE FOR TEXAS CHARTER OPERATORS'
CONSTRUCTION BONDS
May 23, 2011 / 7:21 p.m.
GUARANTEE FOR TEXAS CHARTER OPERATORS'
CONSTRUCTION BONDS
May 23, 2011 / 7:21 p.m.
Delisi Communications PAC Treasurer: Delisi, Dianne White
Account: 00066420 823 Congress, Ste. 1000 B
Acronym: Delisi PAC Austin, TX 78701
Committee Type: General Purpose (512) 467-7003
Files Reports: Semi-Annually
823 Congress, Ste. 1000 B
Austin, TX 78701
=================================================
Senate Education Committee members:
Chair: Sen. Florence Shapiro $4,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists Author: SB 597, amendmt 4 to HB 6, SB 31
Vice Chair: Sen. Dan Patrick $2,500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists Author: SB 127
Members: Sen. John Carona $1,500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Sen. Wendy Davis
Sen. Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Sen. Steve Ogden $5,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Sen. Kel Seliger
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte $2,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists + $3,000 Turkey trip (Raindrop Inst.)
Sen. Royce West
House Education Committee members:
Chair: Rep. Rob Eissler $1,500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists Author: HB 1437
Vice Chair: Rep. Scott Hochberg $5,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Members: Rep. Alma Allen
Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock $ 500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Harold V. Dutton, Jr. $2,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Ryan Guillen
Rep. Dan Huberty $500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Mark Shelton $1,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Todd Smith
Rep. Mark Strama $1,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Randy Weber
Other:
Sen. Troy Fraser $3,000 trip to Turkey (Turquoise Inst.)
Rep. Jose Menendez $500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists Distributed Harmony Science Academy flyer
Rep. Mike Villareal Wrote then withdrew amendment to SB 1811
478944 00016469 Spac--- Fraser For Texas Senate, Expedia, $ 306.96 10/24/2010 Hotel Expense On Way Home From Turquoise Council Tour Of
Turkey
478944 00016469 Spac--- Fraser For Texas Senate, Ramada, $ 118.65 10/19/2010 Hotel Expense - Turquoise Council Tour Of Turkey Istanbul Turkey
Zz
478944 00016469 Spac--- Fraser For Texas Senate, Ramada, $ 125.96 10/13/2010 Hotel Expense - Turquoise Council Tour Of Turkey
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia British Airways, $ 61.72 8/20/2010 Intl Gift Purchase -turkey East Elmhurst Ny 11369
479636 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Capitol Gift Shop, $ 162.38 8/04/2010 Gifts For Turkey Parliament Members Austin Tx 78710
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Gizem Gini Ve Seramik Sanayi Ticaret, $ 111.59 8/12/2010 Gifts For Staff Ktahya Turkey Zz 99999
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Gizem Gini Ve Seramik Sanayi Ticaret, $ 141.30 8/12/2010 Gifts For Staff Ktahya Turkey Zz 99999
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Hagia Sophia Museum, $ 60.00 8/12/2010 Museum Entrance Fee Istanbul Turkey Zz 99999
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Kosar-tur, $ 220.00 8/16/2010 Bosphorus Boat Tour- Included Turkish Constituents Iskelesi Turkey
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Yunus Gida Ve Iht.mad.as, $ 132.86 8/17/2010 Gifts Istanbul. Turkey Zz
Raindrop Turkish Foundation, Van De Putte, Leticia $ 3,200.00 08/17/2010 478989 http://204.65.203.5/public/479636.pdf
Raindrop Turkish Foundation, Van De Putte, Leticia $ 3,200.00 08/17/2010 479636
Houston Chronicle "Advocates Rally in Austin for Charter School Support" (Feb. 2011)
Mentions: Dan Patrick, Scott Hochberg, Jose Menendez
Account: 00066420 823 Congress, Ste. 1000 B
Acronym: Delisi PAC Austin, TX 78701
Committee Type: General Purpose (512) 467-7003
Files Reports: Semi-Annually
823 Congress, Ste. 1000 B
Austin, TX 78701
=================================================
Senate Education Committee members:
Chair: Sen. Florence Shapiro $4,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists Author: SB 597, amendmt 4 to HB 6, SB 31
Vice Chair: Sen. Dan Patrick $2,500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists Author: SB 127
Members: Sen. John Carona $1,500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Sen. Wendy Davis
Sen. Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Sen. Steve Ogden $5,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Sen. Kel Seliger
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte $2,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists + $3,000 Turkey trip (Raindrop Inst.)
Sen. Royce West
House Education Committee members:
Chair: Rep. Rob Eissler $1,500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists Author: HB 1437
Vice Chair: Rep. Scott Hochberg $5,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Members: Rep. Alma Allen
Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock $ 500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Harold V. Dutton, Jr. $2,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Ryan Guillen
Rep. Dan Huberty $500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Mark Shelton $1,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Todd Smith
Rep. Mark Strama $1,000 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists
Rep. Randy Weber
Other:
Sen. Troy Fraser $3,000 trip to Turkey (Turquoise Inst.)
Rep. Jose Menendez $500 from Delisi / TCSA lobbyists Distributed Harmony Science Academy flyer
Rep. Mike Villareal Wrote then withdrew amendment to SB 1811
478944 00016469 Spac--- Fraser For Texas Senate, Expedia, $ 306.96 10/24/2010 Hotel Expense On Way Home From Turquoise Council Tour Of
Turkey
478944 00016469 Spac--- Fraser For Texas Senate, Ramada, $ 118.65 10/19/2010 Hotel Expense - Turquoise Council Tour Of Turkey Istanbul Turkey
Zz
478944 00016469 Spac--- Fraser For Texas Senate, Ramada, $ 125.96 10/13/2010 Hotel Expense - Turquoise Council Tour Of Turkey
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia British Airways, $ 61.72 8/20/2010 Intl Gift Purchase -turkey East Elmhurst Ny 11369
479636 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Capitol Gift Shop, $ 162.38 8/04/2010 Gifts For Turkey Parliament Members Austin Tx 78710
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Gizem Gini Ve Seramik Sanayi Ticaret, $ 111.59 8/12/2010 Gifts For Staff Ktahya Turkey Zz 99999
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Gizem Gini Ve Seramik Sanayi Ticaret, $ 141.30 8/12/2010 Gifts For Staff Ktahya Turkey Zz 99999
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Hagia Sophia Museum, $ 60.00 8/12/2010 Museum Entrance Fee Istanbul Turkey Zz 99999
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Kosar-tur, $ 220.00 8/16/2010 Bosphorus Boat Tour- Included Turkish Constituents Iskelesi Turkey
478989 00020909 Coh---- Van De Putte, Leticia Yunus Gida Ve Iht.mad.as, $ 132.86 8/17/2010 Gifts Istanbul. Turkey Zz
Raindrop Turkish Foundation, Van De Putte, Leticia $ 3,200.00 08/17/2010 478989 http://204.65.203.5/public/479636.pdf
Raindrop Turkish Foundation, Van De Putte, Leticia $ 3,200.00 08/17/2010 479636
Houston Chronicle "Advocates Rally in Austin for Charter School Support" (Feb. 2011)
Mentions: Dan Patrick, Scott Hochberg, Jose Menendez
| UPDATE: SB 31 is the newest incarnation of the PSF guarantee for all Texas charter school operators; hearing set for Mon., June 6, 2011 / 1 p.m. - Rm. E1.028 Senate Education Committee. Watch here |
| While we admire TX Sen. Florence Shapiro's persistence in a 5th attempt -- in 4 months -- to give charter operators a PSF guarantee for their bonds, we also note the $4,000 she received from a charter school lobbyist. Let's follow that same stream, see who else on TX Lege education committees voting on charter bills accepted charter school money: View chart here. |
(Please scroll down below map for additional facts)
Q: In addition to being famous Texas moms
with an apparent fondness for things Turkish
(trips and passing legislation favoring among
others Turkish charter schools), what do state
senators Florence Shapiro, Leticia Van de Putte
and Jane Nelson have in common?
with an apparent fondness for things Turkish
(trips and passing legislation favoring among
others Turkish charter schools), what do state
senators Florence Shapiro, Leticia Van de Putte
and Jane Nelson have in common?
A: All accepted thousands of dollars last year
from charter school lobbyist & former Lege
colleague, state representative Dianne Delisi's
Delisi Communications PAC. Details here.
from charter school lobbyist & former Lege
colleague, state representative Dianne Delisi's
Delisi Communications PAC. Details here.
| Left to right: Texas state senators Florence Shapiro (R), Leticia Van de Putte (D) and Jane Nelson (R). |
Q: Other than a shared enthusiasm for charter
schools -- including authoring multiple charter school
bills during this Lege -- what else do Texas state
senators Florence Shapiro & Dan Patrick have in
common? A: Both have accepted thousands in cash
from charter school lobbyist Dianne Delisi's PAC.
schools -- including authoring multiple charter school
bills during this Lege -- what else do Texas state
senators Florence Shapiro & Dan Patrick have in
common? A: Both have accepted thousands in cash
from charter school lobbyist Dianne Delisi's PAC.
| Texas state senators Florence Shapiro (above) and Dan Patrick (below) spoke eloquently at the Texas senate's wind-down in May 2011 of their passion for charter schools; both have accepted charter school PAC cash. |
| Texas Lege hallway leading to senators Florence Shapiro's & Jane Nelson's offices (on left) |
NOTE: I am not speaking today against or for
SB 11 but still asking for 3 fiduciary duty-of-
care safeguards to protect our children's
textbook money, the Permanent School Fund:
SB 11 but still asking for 3 fiduciary duty-of-
care safeguards to protect our children's
textbook money, the Permanent School Fund:
- Proof of US citizenship for board
members (like ISD trustees) & top admin. - Names, titles & bios of board & top admin.
posted online (like KIPP) - Online check registers (like 70% of all local
ISD school dollars)
| -- Peyton |