![]() Don McQueen is the school’s executive director and Cynthia McQueen is its principal. Allowing the ongoing self-dealing and conflicts of interest by the EMO, Torchlight Academy Schools LLC.īoth McQueen and wife Cynthia McQueen are employed by Torchlight and are officers in the management firm, which state officials said constitutes a conflict of interest.Department of Public Instruction with required documentation of expenditures of state and federal money and comply with other fiscal requirements. Failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management, failure to provide the N.C.Violation of the charter agreement, including failure to produce requested documents, failure to provide adequate oversight and management of the school.Violations of laws and regulations, including special education laws and federal conflict of interest and self-dealing regulations.The recommendation to close the school is based on: “Our parents come because of the number of men in our building, specifically men because it’s a dearth of men in the lives of our children and we recognize that when somebody else might not see it all and don’t have a way to address it,” McQueen said, voice growing shrill. McQueen said parents don’t ask if the school is in compliance with state and federal laws when they enroll their children. “Based on that fact alone, we should have common ground to find a way to rectify whatever is wrong.” “How will our children benefit? How does our community benefit? How does our future benefit in the Black and Brown community by closing a school that has exceeded growth for the last four years?” McQueen asked. On Monday, McQueen acknowledged that mistakes were made, but said the nearly 600 Black and Hispanic children in grades K-8 the school serves will be harmed if the school is closed. “So, we have a financial statewide obligation that could impact us if we are not vigilant.” “If we are in violation of not ensuring that a school or a district is providing a free and appropriate public education, then our federal dollars can be delayed, they can be reduced, they can be pulled back,” Thomas said. Sherry Thomas, director of the Exceptional Children’s Division at the State Department of Public Instruction, told the CSAB last month that the federal money must be used as intended. The grant provides federal funding to ensure free and appropriate education is provided to students with special needs at no cost to parents. Torchlight is also being scrutinized for its handling and reporting of grant funds received under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Generally, educators must meet with parents and submit new data before IEP changes are made. IEP’s are required to ensure students with disabilities receive specialized instruction and related services. The questionable record changes made by Andrews had the effect of making old student IEP’s look like new ones. She reportedly remains employed by the school as a special education teacher. ![]() ![]() Some Charter Board members contend Andrews was not qualified to hold the management-level position for which she was reportedly paid $65,000 a year. ![]() Torchlight’s Exceptional Children program was under the leadership of McQueen’s daughter, Shawntrice Andrews when the violations occurred. An IEP ensures students with disabilities receive specialized instruction and related services. McQueen has been dogged by claims that students’ Individualized Education Program (IEPs) documents were altered in a student data management system monitored by the state. The best of INDY Week’s fiercely independent journalism about the Triangle delivered straight to your inbox. ![]()
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