Donna wrote on Jul 18, 2008 2:51 PM:I am not sure if this is good news or bad. Depends on where you are sitting in all of this mess. Smart parent's would perhaps try a different charter school and NOT Riversprings where all the staff who created most of this mess went. Time will tell...

To Donna wrote on Jul 18, 2008 3:01 PM:Donna, while I can understand your reservations about River Springs (where most of the former administration now works), please understand that River Springs was chartered directly out of the Riverside County Office of Education. It's not being overseen by a little district like JUHSD, but rather a large, well organized county office with the manpower to oversee and regularly audit the work being done at RSCS. They are being well guided and running a tight ship. I would not hesitate to refer parents there as an alternate to the turmoil occuring at Eagles Peak.

And just in case you were wondering, no, I am not a River Springs employee.

To Donna wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:06 PM:It is time for EP to grow up and start taking responsibility for its actions. River Springs paid EP several million dollars and they have abided by the legal agreement to which both parties agreed.

Where I can see that you may be frustrated because EP has not been able to get itself out of a mess, the proof lies in that River Springs is thriving and RCOE is pleased with this school.

RS administration did not cause the problems at EP. The existing board of directors with the addition of Rufino "Shame On You" Diaz and Joyce Berg, minus Beth Burt as secretary, is the same board of directors that was there 2 years ago. That the school is in trouble can only be laid at the feet of the current administration. Oh wait! The EP board has fired all of upper and middle management, AGAIN!

Please stop attacking River Springs. This school is doing a great job. Children are learning and are happy. Isn't that what is important after all?

Donna wrote on Jul 18, 2008 6:34 PM:Attacking Riversprings? I don't think so. I just wonder about certain people there that have funded their lifestyle while at EP. Now they are safely under a new school and free to continue. Need we bring up a RV that went on a family vacation..some travelling Science RV that was. Or how about storage lockers with EP supplies? Oh wait, I think that was a jet ski. I think a few people would be better served opening a private school and not have to be governed by laws that other charters seem to be able to follow. Please tell me who bailed at the first sign of trouble with EP and started RS?

Fo shizzle wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:04 PM:You tell 'em Donna.

Jacob wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:39 AM:I'm a student at EPCS and this is the best school and the best teachers!!! Keep on thriving EPCS!!!

Ron wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:43 AM:Go Donna!! To River Springs, leave EPCS to conduct their business, and stop being like buzzards hanging around all thier board meetings waiting for a chance to snatch up any students!!!!

Susie wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:48 AM:Yes, that RV trip to Louisana, how about all those trips to Disneyland with the Armada, with all the Family...Yes, the previous administration had a great lifestyle funded through EPCS!! They took off, just like cowards!!

Blame wrote on Jul 19, 2008 10:28 AM:I've followed E.P for several years and find one thing in common with personal posts: blame. Everyone has an opinion as to who caused this mess. The real truth: past administration, present board and Julian District. All three have their contribution to the present problems. Past administration began the problems with poor decision making, Julian kept an arm's distance allowing problems to continue until recently and the present board has tried to fix problems making both good and very bad decisions.
We all want justice. We all want someone to blame. Do we want the past administration to be held accountable for initially creating this mess instead of walking away with a clean slate? YES! Do we want the present board to step down? ABSOLUTELY! And do we want Julian to revoke the charter? Maybe- depending on your view. We can blame and blame and blame and blame..... for years. Does it solve anything? NO! So what's the answer? There really isnt one good answer but several with pitfalls. My opinion: take a good look at the quality of education within E.P. along with the financial issues. Possibly start with the AYP score which EP failed. (Riversprings also failed). Or possibly great schools which rates EP as a 5 out of 10. (River Springs 4 out of 10). If these indicators are correct, both school are in need of much improvement. Julian,add educational quality to your final decision.

Just Me wrote on Jul 19, 2008 3:19 PM:To Blame:
Wow, what an excellent post!

In the Know wrote on Jul 20, 2008 8:16 AM:Seems that you people need to get your stories straight. The administration did not just "take-off" when the school split. They were unjustly fired by the current board of directors. These were the original people with the original vision for the school who really cared about its success. If you had attended any of the board meetings during this time frame when Kathleen Hermsmeyer (the director at the time) defended all of the above accusations (including the use of the RV, for which she paid the school), you would understand how poorly these people were treated. Compound this with the fact that the board recently fired the new director, in which they hired. He left his job as Superintendent of Julian Schools, for this position. Does anyone know why he was fired? Do you see a pattern?

Let the madness stop wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:39 AM:Eagles Peak Parents that choose to take their student to River Springs or any other charter at this time, should be commended! Eagles Peak is failing you!
When was the last time you recieved communication regarding the school? Do you have any promises for programs in the fall? Is there even a Director for the program your child is in? When will the budget cuts, that you were promised would never reach the student level, stop? These are questions you will not have to ask yourself at most any other school. Do what is right for your children now! Don't let fiscally driven decisions affect your childs education!

LIMBO wrote on Jul 20, 2008 2:04 PM:I am currently with EP and this last post has said exactly what I am thinking. We are trying to be loyal to EP through this time, as we know that if we leave the school it will affect the funding they get, but we are being told absolutely ZILCH. I think EP is doing themselves and our children a complete disservice by not keeping the parents enlightened. Shame on them and ALSO shame on JUHSD for postponing a decision, whether the answer is yes or no. I have a life, people.I guess they think I should just be kept in LIMBO until they finally decide how they will affect my life. Why prolong the agony?? This whole predicament is a travesty. I am so sorry for all of your troubles, but I think it may be time to look out for my children. You administrators, board members and the powers that be have done nothing but put on a spectacle that is extremely embarrassing for all involved.

Nick wrote on Jul 20, 2008 2:33 PM:I'm not sure what Julian is thinking and in this case I must also say "Shame on you Julian." Eagles Peak representatives are not 100% honest in what has been disclosed to Julian. Please tell me how EP's finances are "sound" when they have to get yet another loan - "robbing Peter to pay Paul." And the biggest concern of all - making sure the academic programs are sound. They are not! There is a complete lack of administrative leadership, EP has lost/let go many of the program Directors/quality teachers and now they are trying to replace employees that have been recently "released from their contract due to restructuring." EP is planning on hiring ANOTHER counselor, ANOTHER Director of Student Records, ANOTHER Chief Financial Officer. BUT parents beware...there is not Chief Educational Officer. That position is where all the compliance issues where being addressed. Don't be fooled. If the school is out of compliance, your students are NOT getting the best education and EP is ready to head into year 2 of Program Improvement.

Lisa wrote on Jul 20, 2008 2:47 PM:What makes EP any different than TIP Academy in Encinitas? Nothing! It's time for EP to be closed. Julian - are you listening? Julian has given this school a first, second, third and fourth chance to remedy the problems. Many are STILL not addressed.
Not only can EP NOT dig itself out of the financial hole it is currently in, EP is not even addressing the poor quality academic programs. School is only 5 weeks away and I say please don't put the students in a position to start school and have to leave during the middle of the school year. EP has not acted quickly enough or gone far enough to make sure the students are receiving quality educational programs, AND on top of that - EP treats the employees poorly. Seems to me the EP Board and current administrators lack integrity and character.

Julian does not care wrote on Jul 20, 2008 4:14 PM:Trustee Frank Spavacek responded to the plea to make decisions based upon what is best for the children and to not wait until December to not renew the charter, "you have other choices on where to school your children. Our focus must be on Julians 200 students." So much for caring oversight for our children.

Alexis wrote on Jul 20, 2008 5:03 PM:Does anyone know how long they postponed the decision? The news story was not clear.

more information wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:15 AM:therealBluefairy posted comments about the meeting on the July 1 article about eagles peak losing 3 more adminstrators. There is more information in this post than anywhere else. Comment number 50.

the madness continues wrote on Jul 25, 2008 5:03 PM:So now Eagles Peak has closed the High School Academies in Tustin and Vista, just to open a new middle school program in Fallbrook!

therealBlueFairy wrote on Jul 28, 2008 2:28 PM:madness, the OC and Vista programs have closed, teachers have been laid off as well. There aren't any funds to support a new program whether in Fallbrook or Murietta. What may be happening is that EP focus is turning to the homeschool program which has very little overhead, ES and curriculum is about all. However, with the ES lay-off the question is who will be able to oversee the homeschool families?

If you are looking into other school alternatives, please keeo in mind that school terms can begin on different dates.

Nick wrote on Jul 31, 2008 5:48 PM:I can understand why some parent would be reluctant to make a change. It would also be nice if everyone focused on what is best for the children (as stated by Marianne in a different EP article).
However, the children are not getting the education they deserve if EP is not in compliance with federal and state regulations and guidelines.
When so many areas (financial, compliance, staffing) of any school are not in balance that can be, and in this case it is, a direct conflict of the students interest and education.

Donna wrote on Aug 1, 2008 11:38 AM:I think there will be some movement earlier than expected..stay tuned...