Oakland Charter School Accused Of Fraud May Close
OAKLAND (CBS/AP) -- Allegations of fraud and violations of state law may force closure of an Oakland charter school that has produced California's second-highest test scores.
A state audit found that more than $1 million in public funds has been funneled to American Indian Charter School II founder Ben Chavis and wife Marsha Amador for questionable expenses.
Oakland school district staff recommended the Board of Education deny the charter school's renewal application.
The school posted 990 points out of a possible 1,000 points on the Academic Performance Index, only two points behind Lodi's top-scoring Elkhorn Middle School.
The school is one of three Oakland charter schools founded by Chavis.
His profanity-laced, no-nonsense approach has been praised by some as a model for inner-city schools.
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