Epic Charter School Board meets for first time since resignations, layoffs
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The state's largest virtual school is under fire once again after layoffs and resignations.
On Thursday, the board for Epic Charter Schools met for the first time since top leaders resigned, hundreds of employees were let go, and a state investigation into the school is ongoing.
"We don't feel like we've been told, you know, what's happening with transparency, so we all have these concerns, and I just wanted to at least be able to voice them to the board," said Sarah Kitterman, Epic teacher and parent.
Kitterman spoke during public comment, voicing her concerns.
"Why did this really happen? What is happening and how are your actions cutting all this stuff, closing the learning centers, how's that going to help?" asked Kitterman.
Earlier this month, Epic Charter Schools let go of over 350 employees and shut down in-person learning centers.
Kitterman says the recent cuts have blindsided her family. She says she's losing health benefits, help with her master's degree, and some programs that helped her students' progress.
"I don't understand how that serves our student population by just chunking those programs instead of trying to, I don't know, revamp them somehow to fit the budget," said Kitterman.
News 4 also learned of top administrators who resigned, including Superintendent Bart Banfield.
At Thursday's meeting, board members accepted Banfield's resignation and appointed Justin Hunt as the interim superintendent.
While the board didn't address public comment, Kitterman hopes they'll listen to what she said.
"I would hope that there could be more clear communication on what has happened and how they're going to change that, like take steps to safeguard and actually rebuild the structure here at Epic, so that we can get away from having financial disasters," said Kitterman.
The board is also planning to hire an external accountant.
Interviews of candidates will be happening over the next couple of weeks, and a recommendation will be made at the next regular board meeting.
The Statewide Charter School Board also has an ongoing investigation into fiscal integrity at Epic.
Staff of the Statewide Charter School Board are investigating Epic Charter Schools. This investigation was ongoing prior to yesterday’s announcement from Epic.
The Statewide Charter School Board was established in July 2024 and is Epic’s authorizer. As its authorizer, we have a duty to monitor and provide oversight to the school to ensure it has fiscal integrity and that it is in compliance with the terms of its charter contract with the Board.
The goal is to complete the Epic investigation this summer and to present findings to the Statewide Charter School Board for their consideration and possible action in a public meeting of the Board
Statewide Charter School Board
News 4 tried speaking with board members at Thursday's meeting, and they declined to talk. The interim superintendent also did not want to speak.