On Wednesday, we reported that the Escambia County School District had mishandled Pell Grant disbursements and will have to pay back to the U.S. Department of Education $506,456. School Board member Jeff…
Tag: Malcolm Thomas
Escambia County School District owes feds half a million dollars
The Escambia County School District has been found to be out of compliance in how it has handled Pell Grants at George Stone Area Vocational Technical Center, according to a U.S. Department…
Superintendent calls for investigation of dump truck owner
WUWF is reporting that Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas wants an investigation into the fleet of vehicles, maintenance program and practices, and operator hiring practices of G. B. Green Construction Management….
Brevard School Board selects new superintendent
Most large school districts in Florida have an appointed school superintendents. Escambia County is the largest district that still elects its school leader. Yesterday, the Brevard County School Board picked Desmond Blackburn…
Thomas pre-files for third term as school superintendent
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office has notified the newspaper that School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has pre-filed for a third term. The last superintendent to serve three terms was J. E….
Evidence against Newpoint schools compelling
For an hour and 45 minutes, Escambia County School District staff went over evidence at Friday’s school board workshop that documented the district’s case to terminate the contracts of Newpoint Pensacola High,…
Final Showdown is the biggest: Malcolm Thomas vs. Newpoint Education Partners
In a week filled with showdowns, the last one —Superintendent Malcolm Thomas vs. Newpoint Education Partners—could be the biggest. At 1:30 p.m. today, the Escambia County School Board will hear the…
Newpoint says it was blindsided by Thomas
Newpoint Education Partners tonight said in a press release that it was caught off guard by Superintendent Malcolm Thomas’ recommendation for the Escambia County School Board to terminate its charters for Five…
Palm Beach County charter school shows risk of poor oversight
The Palm Beach County School District may have to repay $2.5 million to the state because it failed to provide proof of the attendance records of a closed charter school. A state…
Newpoint update: Bergosh speaks out, FDOE letter, NEP fights, Edgar investigates
School Board member Jeff Bergosh has issued a statement on the Newpoint issue. Last Friday, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas recommended that the school board terminate its charter agreements for the three schools run…
Newpoint in trouble in Bay County
The company that runs three charter schools in Escambia County had its grant applications for two new schools in Bay County denied. The Florida Department of Education said the schools, Newpoint Bay…
Newpoint claims terminations politically driven
The daily newspaper has received an email from Carla Lovett, Newpoint Education Partners’ vice president for curriculum and instruction. The tone is more combative than what has been sent to Pensacola Newpoint…
Thomas blames staff for not keeping school board informed on Newpoint
1620 News Radio’s Andrew McKay interviewed Superintendent Malcolm Thomas this morning about his recommendation to terminate the charter contracts for the three schools run by Newpoint Education Partners – Five Flags Academy…
PS Today: Tale of Two Charter Schools
Are all charter schools treated equally by Superintendent Malcolm Thomas? On Pensacola Speaks today, Rev. Lutimothy May will talk about his dealings with the superintendent when he tried to help a failing…
Newpoint allegations – what the records indicate
The School District, and Superintendent Malcolm Thomas personally, were notified of teachers being pressured to change the grades of seniors so the students would graduate. A pastor also hand-delivered a packet of…
Newpoint: Superintendent and staff knew of grade tampering allegations a year ago
Despite earlier claims that district only recently learned of possible grade tampering at Newpoint High School, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and his staff knew of the allegations in May 2014, according to records…
Top Five Blog Posts and Podcasts for last 30 days
High-performing Charter School accused of grade tampering | Rick’s Blog Has Malcolm Thomas been caught in a lie? | Rick’s Blog City attorney nomination derailed | Rick’s Blog Unexpected career moves |…
Deputy Superintendent Ross confirms Newpoint investigation, says it began two weeks ago
Escambia County Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross reported today that the district’s investigator – a former NCIS investigator – opened an investigation into Newpoint misconduct two weeks ago. Ross said: “I can assure…
Newpoint High has been losing money. Its schools are being investigated in other areas (video)
According to its audited financial reports, Newpoint High School’s expenses exceeded its revenues by $59,994. It lost $81,223 last year. Newpoint High School received $704,338 from state for the 2013-14. The Escambia…
Has Malcolm Thomas been caught in a lie?
In February, when the controversy over the possible closure of the PATS Center heated up, School Board member Jeff Bergosh, in a board workshop, asked Superintendent Malcolm Thomas why the board had…