> From: "Bill Pearce" <bs.pearce@xxxxxxx>
>
> Are you sure that this is an evil that is spreading across America? Isn't it
> something that is different in each state?
You're probably right. My comments apply to Michigan, and I note that despite
its name, "National Heritage Academies" is also headquartered in Michigan.
As part of required transparency, they do make financial info available
on-line. Their latest budget indicates over $5 million comes from federal,
state, and local government funding, with ZERO in the row marked "Contribution
from Management Company".
The euphamistically-named "Excess of revenue over expenditures" row (isn't that
called "profit" anywhere else?) shows only $26k, and the amount invested is not
easily determined, so a quick look at financials doesn't show return on
investment, but it DOES show ZERO corporate money for operations. My guess is
the real ROI is buried in old capital spending documents.
Except for the missing 9% ROI, this is in line with what my Dad tells me. He's
on the "school board," and he acts as though that makes him part-owner or
something.
This is an Orwellian travesty: in this case, the "school board" is appointed by
the school management, who are hired by senior corporate management, who are
hired by the corporate board of directors, like any other for-profit
corporation.
But with public schools in Michigan, the School Board (proper noun) is ELECTED
by taxpayers. The elected School Board then hires the school management.
Nicholas, do you see the difference here? I'm not against private schools --
I'm not even against capitalism! But blurring the line between corporate and
government is every bit as dangerous as blurring that between church and state,
and is the very definition of fascism.
If anyone really wants to crawl through the school's financials, they are here:
http://triumph.heritageacademies.com/financial-information/
I think I'll let this thread rest. I hope I've provided enough information so
you can see that I've really looked into this; this is not just a knee-jerk
response. I just wish the government would guarantee me 9% ROI on MY money.
----------------
Why does my toaster have a "cancel" button? I have never regretted a decision
to make toast in my life. -- Aaron Karo
:::: Jan Steinman, EcoReality Co-op ::::
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