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100s of private schools received PPP loans. Some schools had to buy tons of tech for online distance learning. Smaller schools brace for drop in enrollment.
But some really expensive private schools received PPP. So did publicly-funded charter schools
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article244111357.html#storylink=bignews_main
But some really expensive private schools received PPP. So did publicly-funded charter schools
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article244111357.html#storylink=bignews_main
Some of these private schools charge exorbitant tuition. Take @RansomEverglade. They charge $41,750 annually. In 2018, the Head of School made $477k. Ransom has a $40 mil endowment
@MiamiSup runs 4th largest school district in U.S. & makes $363k
Ransom got a $2-5 mil PPP loan
@MiamiSup runs 4th largest school district in U.S. & makes $363k
Ransom got a $2-5 mil PPP loan
Billionaire real estate developer & former Democratic gubernatorial candidate @JeffGreeneFL created his own school in 2016 because he thought none of the schools in Palm Beach were up to par for his sons.
The Greene School got a $350k - $1 million loan. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article216584570.html
The Greene School got a $350k - $1 million loan. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article216584570.html
Private schools could not only get a PPP loan, they could also get a cut of CARES Act funding given to the public school district. Further, @GovRonDeSantis allocated $30mil to ensure tax-credit scholarships may schools rely on, plus another $15mil just for private schools.
Some schools dipped into all these pots of cash, like Scheck Hillel Community School. The school got a $3.627 million PPP loan plus $280,333 in ESSER and $12,000 in GEER funding. 94/1,160 kids are on gov scholarships.
School charges up to $30k for tuition. Look at the payroll.
School charges up to $30k for tuition. Look at the payroll.
None of these schools took pay cuts or expressed worry about students not re-registering. Ransom said its administrators wouldn't get raises.
President Trump called on wealthy private schools to return PPP loans. None of these schools said they would. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/01/mnuchin-urges-elite-k-12-schools-to-return-federal-rescue-loans-228964
President Trump called on wealthy private schools to return PPP loans. None of these schools said they would. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/01/mnuchin-urges-elite-k-12-schools-to-return-federal-rescue-loans-228964
. @MDCPS has to share its CARES Act funding with any private and charter schools that apply for it.
The school district received $119 mil through ESSER, a broad pot of cash, but will keep $77 million. It received $11 million for GEER but after sharing, will keep $7.7 million.
The school district received $119 mil through ESSER, a broad pot of cash, but will keep $77 million. It received $11 million for GEER but after sharing, will keep $7.7 million.
Now for charter schools. As a primer, charter schools are publicly funded but privately run. Their funding is based on property taxes and is allocated by the state. It's basically guaranteed.
Yet tons of charter schools applied for PPP loans. Why?
Yet tons of charter schools applied for PPP loans. Why?
All the charter school folk I spoke to say it's for before-school, after-school and tutoring programs not paid with public $
They argue that the school district has $ not available to them. For example, @MDCPS has the $1.2 billion general obligation bond that paid for technology
They argue that the school district has $ not available to them. For example, @MDCPS has the $1.2 billion general obligation bond that paid for technology
Sports Leadership and Management, or SLAM! schools, repped by @pitbull, benefitted from a $1-$2 million PPP loan.
Even charter schools the school district runs, likeDowntown Doral Charter Upper School, received a PPP loan ranging from $350,000 to $1 million. We don't know why.
Even charter schools the school district runs, likeDowntown Doral Charter Upper School, received a PPP loan ranging from $350,000 to $1 million. We don't know why.
Some say this isn't equitable for traditional public schools. @MiamiSup said there's been a "seismic shift" in using federal funds for private, even religious causes. He hoped for "additional opportunities" for public schools.
@KarlaMats called it "disparate treatment."
@KarlaMats called it "disparate treatment."
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A ? about charter schools' access to PPP loans + other federal aid came up at a press call w/ @DonnaShalala + Education & Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott.
Scott: "This admin has been fixated on diverting as much money from public schools to the private schools as they can."
Scott: "This admin has been fixated on diverting as much money from public schools to the private schools as they can."
