Oakland to close 3 charter schools

In this file photo, Mason Emura, 12, a student at The American Indian Charter School II, in Oakland, Calif., studies after classes. The school, one of the best middle school in California could be shuttered at the end of the year because of financial impropriety. This charter school, has been touted nationally as a model of success. And now, it's facing scandal and investigations. less In this file photo, Mason Emura, 12, a student at The American Indian Charter School II, in Oakland, Calif., studies after classes. The school, one of the best middle school in California could be shuttered at ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Oakland to close 3 charter schools 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Three of the state's highest-performing schools must shut down at the end of this school year after administrators failed to acknowledge and address illegal activity and serious lapses in financial and administrative oversight, the Oakland school board decided Wednesday night.

The 4-3 vote to shutter American Indian charter schools followed 90 minutes of emotional public testimony, catcalls from the audience, and a handful of comments from board members who acknowledged that the students at the schools have excelled.

It was the adults who failed, board members said.

"My heart and my soul and my core does not want to see this school closed," said board member Jumoke Hinton Hodge, who wavered for several seconds before voting against closure. "I feel like I've been put into a horrible position. Adults have not shown up on behalf of these children."

Appeals possible

The charter schools can appeal the decision to the Alameda County Board of Education and, failing that, the state Board of Education.

They would have to convince county and state authorities that the policies and procedures that led to serious lapses in oversight and ultimately allegations of fraud have been addressed.

A 2012 state audit found several instances of financial impropriety in the organization, including $3.8 million in payments to founder and former director Ben Chavis and his wife through real estate deals, consulting agreements and other services, raising ethical questions and conflict-of-interest concerns.

Chavis, for example, leases space in Chinatown to one of the schools, charging $700,000 more per year than district space would cost.

While Chavis no longer has any official connection to the schools, he continues to be the landlord. The schools and Chavis are being investigated by the Alameda County district attorney's office.

American Indian charter leadership said many of the problems have been addressed with a new director and new board members.

"Yes, we are going to appeal," said Toni Cook, president of the charters' board. "Oakland children will have the right to an alternative public education. They aren't going to your schools."

The schools have long been controversial for their rigid teaching methods and harsh discipline.

Changing demographic

The schools, which initially served some American Indian families, have increasingly appealed to Asian students, who now comprise almost 70 percent of the 700 students.

Test scores are in the mid- to upper 900s out of 1,000 points on the state Academic Performance Index.

The first American Indian charter middle school opened in 1996. Chavis was hired to run it in 2001 and later added two more, a high school and a K-8 school.

On Wednesday, more than 300 students, teachers and parents attended the meeting, begging the board to let them stay at American Indian charters. Several teary-eyed children and their families huddled after the board vote.

It shouldn't be about the adults but about the children, said Susan Nguyen, a freshman at American Indian Charter High School.

"I think we will have a chance (at appeal) as long as they are willing to listen to the students," Nguyen said. "They don't know how we feel about it."