DID THE STATE DO THE RIGHT THING WITH THIS HOUSTON SCHOOL?
Here's the statement from the Texas Education Agency:
A state-appointed Board of Managers for Benji’s Special Education Academy, Inc. in Houston on Monday determined that the school is no longer financially viable and voted to close it at the end of the school today.
Texas Education Agency staff, as well as staff from the Region IV Education Service Center, were on hand today to help with the school closure.
The school has an enrollment of approximately 550 students. The students were given information packets that provide them with enrollment information for other area school districts and charters. Student records will be available at the school Wednesday morning and Thursday morning. After that time, they will be available at the Region IV Education Service Center at 7145 West Tidwell.
“This action protects the health, safety and welfare of the students. We intend to ensure that each and every student has the opportunity to receive a quality education,” said Commissioner of Education Robert Scott.
Benji’s was chartered in 1998.
Insite Research from TEA Records:
Benji's Academy Academic standing from 2004 - 2010
2004 - Academically Acceptable
2005 - Academically Unacceptable
2006 - Academically Acceptable
2007 - Academically Unacceptable
2008 - Academically Acceptable
2009 - Academically Unacceptable
2010 - Academically Unacceptable
This school offers more than your average ISD. Some of the programs that Robinson implemented: Photography, Protools, Recording Studio, Multimedia, Dram, Physical Fitness, Band, Step, Spirit Groups, community activities, scholarships for students who graduate from the school. Mrs. Robinson has been a life saver in this community by providing a safe haven and educational goals for the students. MAC is to be appreciated and commended for its support to the school and Mr. Richardson Johnson for his outstanding support. TEA used a financial strangulation effect to close the predominately black school which is like home to the children of Benji’s Academy. Many students were in the day care since one month old and have graduated and are still attending the school. Mrs. Robinson operated the school from 1981, until 2010 without any problems. After three years of state conservators in the school and could not find any problems the State used the strangulation plan to close the school. But Mrs. Robinson stood her grounds and we appreciate her effort and support in this community for thirty years and to sacrifice to keep the school open. No one can say anything about Mrs. Robinson that will change our mind about her support and dedication to these children.
ReplyDeleteNow about the $9,000 situation. The reason the State did not investigate is because the statements were false. The TEA team has approved every audit that the school has submitted and given them an accreditation approval. If the city wanted to know the truth they should have spoken with the Auditor.
We asked Mrs. Robinson for proof, because as parents we wanted to know. If you calculate $108,000 over a period of thirteen years this would equal to around $1,500 monthly. But the money was used for special projects for the students, maintenance improvement and up keep which is documented in the audit reports.
I still visit the school and it’s almost like a grave yard. But Mrs. Robinson is doing great because she knows the truth, and the truth will set you free. Our children are devastated, they are being threatened and told they will be going to juvenile, there is no communication between the teachers and children, there are fights everyday and students are working as teachers’ aides rather than taking electives subjects. Students are fighting and anger about what the TEA did to their school for no reason. We will get to the bottom of this wrong doing.