Latest news with #Kitterman
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What's next for Epic Charter School after layoffs, resignations?
Families and educators at Epic Charter School now face a summer of uncertainty as the charter school system downsizes its staff, facilities and course offerings. A leadership change and a state investigation have piled on top of the cuts. The virtual charter school's superintendent, Bart Banfield, resigned Monday, days after Epic laid off 357 teachers and administrators. Its deputy superintendent of finance, Jeanise Wynn, resigned April 11. 'There hasn't been much transparency about why and what are we doing,' Epic teacher and parent Sarah Kitterman said. 'What actions are we taking to make sure this changes and we don't do this again?' Kitterman, of Edmond, said Epic lost programs that were difference-makers for students. Her own children benefited from a now-eliminated ELA+ program that offered bonus reading classes. Students won't get that extra English language arts instruction without the program, she said, and it's unclear how Epic will repeat the 'incredible' learning gains that ELA+ produced. A similar Math+ program has been reduced to grades 6-12 only. The closure of Epic's Blended Learning Centers is a loss, too, Kitterman said. The centers, which offered in-person instruction in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, often had waiting lists. Students with disabilities especially sought a place at the learning centers, said Kitterman, a special education teacher. 'Does that mean that we're going to have an overload of students on our rosters now?' she said. 'We can't serve those students the same way that they were being served. So where do those students go?' Epic announced it would give students from the learning centers priority in another face-to-face instructional option, Comet Academy. Also gone are Epic's options for full-time in-person instruction five days a week, its school meal services, and all of its Chinese and Latin courses. Other services, like Advanced Placement courses, have been outsourced to other entities, some now costing a fee. 'These changes are part of our ongoing reorganization to better serve the 30,000 students statewide who choose Epic for their education, and to position the state's largest public virtual charter school for strength and success in the years to come,' the school told families in an email last week. Members of Epic's school board spoke little of the school's financial situation Thursday in their first meeting since the layoffs and Banfield's departure. The board, which is scheduled to meet again Tuesday, approved a new treasurer, assistant treasurer and encumbrance clerk for Epic, who will join the new chief financial officer, Michael Flory. The school board has yet to approve a budget for the 2025-26 school year, which must be done before the next fiscal year begins on July 1. The Statewide Charter School Board, a state agency that oversees Epic, is now investigating the school's finances. After its enrollment skyrocketed to over 60,000 children in 2020, Epic has steadily lost students and, as a result, state funding. An influx of federal pandemic aid funds also came to an end in September. To make matters worse, Epic administrators significantly miscalculated when crafting their budget for the 2024-25 academic year. Enrollment came in 4,000 students short of what administrators expected, prompting a round of layoffs in October that cost 144 jobs. The cuts continued this month when Epic slashed 83 teaching positions and 274 administrators. Banfield soon followed out the door. 'At Epic, we often say, 'The only constant is change,'' Banfield wrote in his resignation letter, which Oklahoma Voice obtained. 'Over the course of this school year, it has become clear to me that it is time for a new chapter. With deep gratitude, I am formally submitting my resignation. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Board of Education, the Epic staff, and most importantly, the hundreds of thousands of families who have chosen Epic as their school of choice since 2011. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you over the past 11 years. I wish you the very best. Go Comets!' Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Justin Hunt will serve as interim superintendent while the board searches for a candidate to hire permanently. 'I appreciate the trust and respect, and (I'm) looking forward to moving into next school year for the 30,000 kids that need us and choose us as a school option,' Hunt said during Thursday's school board meeting. As for Kitterman, she plans to return for her fourth school year teaching at Epic, and her three children will continue to attend, she said. Until this point, Kitterman has felt like a valued employee, she said, but the lack of transparency around the layoffs and cuts put that sense of value in doubt. 'I plan to stay as long as Epic is open,' Kitterman said. 'We've loved it, so that's my hope. It's just so scary.' Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@ Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Epic Charter School downsizing staff, facilities, course offerings
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Uncertainty abounds at Epic Charter School after cuts, resignations
Epic Charter School is headquartered at the 50 Penn Place complex in Oklahoma City. The virtual charter school laid off 357 employees this month. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — Families and educators at Epic Charter School now face a summer of uncertainty as the charter school system downsizes its staff, facilities and course offerings. A leadership change and a state investigation have piled on top of the cuts. The virtual charter school's superintendent, Bart Banfield, resigned Monday, days after Epic laid off 357 teachers and administrators. Its deputy superintendent of finance, Jeanise Wynn, resigned April 11. 'There hasn't been much transparency about why and what are we doing,' Epic teacher and parent Sarah Kitterman said. 'What actions are we taking to make sure this changes and we don't do this again?' Kitterman, of Edmond, said Epic lost programs that were difference-makers for students. Her own children benefited from a now-eliminated ELA+ program that offered bonus reading classes. Students won't get that extra English language arts instruction without the program, she said, and it's unclear how Epic will repeat the 'incredible' learning gains that ELA+ produced. A similar Math+ program has been reduced to grades 6-12 only. The closure of Epic's Blended Learning Centers is a loss, too, Kitterman said. The centers, which offered in-person instruction in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, often had waiting lists. Students with disabilities especially sought a place at the learning centers, said Kitterman, a special education teacher. 'Does that mean that we're going to have an overload of students on our rosters now?' she said. 'We can't serve those students the same way that they were being served. So where do those students go?' Epic announced it would give students from the learning centers priority in another face-to-face instructional option, Comet Academy. Also gone are Epic's options for full-time in-person instruction five days a week, its school meal services, and all of its Chinese and Latin courses. Other services, like Advanced Placement courses, have been outsourced to other entities, some now costing a fee. 'These changes are part of our ongoing reorganization to better serve the 30,000 students statewide who choose Epic for their education, and to position the state's largest public virtual charter school for strength and success in the years to come,' the school told families in an email last week. Members of Epic's school board spoke little of the school's financial situation Thursday in their first meeting since the layoffs and Banfield's departure. The board, which is scheduled to meet again Tuesday, approved a new treasurer, assistant treasurer and encumbrance clerk for Epic, who will join the new chief financial officer, Michael Flory. The school board has yet to approve a budget for the 2025-26 school year, which must be done before the next fiscal year begins on July 1. The Statewide Charter School Board, a state agency that oversees Epic, is now investigating the school's finances. After its enrollment skyrocketed to over 60,000 children in 2020, Epic has steadily lost students and, as a result, state funding. An influx of federal pandemic aid funds also came to an end in September. To make matters worse, Epic administrators significantly miscalculated when crafting their budget for the 2024-25 academic year. Enrollment came in 4,000 students short of what administrators expected, prompting a round of layoffs in October that cost 144 jobs. The cuts continued this month when Epic slashed 83 teaching positions and 274 administrators. Banfield soon followed out the door. 'At Epic, we often say, 'The only constant is change,'' Banfield wrote in his resignation letter, which Oklahoma Voice obtained. 'Over the course of this school year, it has become clear to me that it is time for a new chapter. With deep gratitude, I am formally submitting my resignation. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Board of Education, the Epic staff, and most importantly, the hundreds of thousands of families who have chosen Epic as their school of choice since 2011. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you over the past 11 years. I wish you the very best. Go Comets!' Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Justin Hunt will serve as interim superintendent while the board searches for a candidate to hire permanently. 'I appreciate the trust and respect, and (I'm) looking forward to moving into next school year for the 30,000 kids that need us and choose us as a school option,' Hunt said during Thursday's school board meeting. As for Kitterman, she plans to return for her fourth school year teaching at Epic, and her three children will continue to attend, she said. Until this point, Kitterman has felt like a valued employee, she said, but the lack of transparency around the layoffs and cuts put that sense of value in doubt. 'I plan to stay as long as Epic is open,' Kitterman said. 'We've loved it, so that's my hope. It's just so scary.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
CBS News
28-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
March of Dimes hosts 55th annual March for Babies on the North Shore
March of Dimes hosts 55th annual March for Babies on the North Shore March of Dimes hosts 55th annual March for Babies on the North Shore March of Dimes hosts 55th annual March for Babies on the North Shore It's the country's oldest charitable walk, and on Sunday, it continued for another year in Pittsburgh. The March of Dimes held its 55th annual March for Babies on the North Shore on Sunday morning. This event helps support families facing maternal and infant health problems. Within the crowds are stories turned into action. "I had a really high-risk pregnancy, and my son passed away a couple of days after he was born," Kathy Kitterman, who received the 2025 John Bricker Award, said. Kitterman sought to keep her son's memory alive, just like many hope to do with their children. "My husband and I were like, 'We've gotta do something to bring some purpose and meaning to his life,'" she said. She's given a lot of effort. Ketterman has helped raise about $130,000 for the March of Dimes. On Sunday, she was showered with praise. "I'm very proud that we've been able to contribute what we have over the last 19 years," she said. Hanah Goodman is part of this year's ambassador family. She remains invested. "It has really helped me heal personally," she said. Her son, Avitt, was born prematurely at 35 weeks. He spent some time in the NICU, about two weeks there for underdeveloped lungs," Goodman said. It's why she and these thousands keep coming back. They're trying to raise $1 million. "This money goes into research and education events," Jim Burgess, SVP of operations at Highmark Wholecare, said. "It goes into funding milk banks, food pantries, and diaper banks." One in 10 babies in our country is born prematurely, according to the March of Dimes. The organization says a woman dies every 12 hours from pregnancy and childbirth complications. "You also have a lot of emotions about maybe not doing what you thought you could, like guilt," Goodman said. She and others said a support network from this organization made them feel less lonely. "It helped my family tremendously through fellowship in just coming together during our healing," Tina Morascyzk, market board of directors chair for March of Dimes of Western and Central Pa., said. The participants hope that with every step, they can help give babies and moms the best start possible. "We're optimistic that the funding we're doing there [and] the walk that we're doing here, the money that we bring forward will help us surpass where we were back before COVID," Jim Burgess, SVP of operations at Highmark Wholecare, said. For Kitterman and others, it's the driving force. "No matter how short someone's life is, it still has an impact, and it can still bring meaning to the world," she said.
