Virtual schools scheme

If used properly, the virtual schools model could have been quite a money-maker for cash-strapped districts where parents were opting for private schools or homeschooling. It has mostly not worked like that.

The investigation of the virtual schools, and the allegations of improperly boosting enrollment figures to generate more tax dollars, would be similar to federal investigations of virtual schools in other states. As in those investigations, the alleged wrongdoing in Alabama involves tens of millions of dollars in tax money.

SchoolsPLP’s claims of accreditation on their website — by Cognia, AdvancED, California A-G and the NCAA — all appear to be bogus.

The circumstances that prompted an FBI raid of a north Alabama school superintendent’s home on Tuesday remain unclear.  An FBI spokesperson confirmed that the agency conducted a “law enforcement action” at the home of Athens Superintendent Trey Holladay, but declined to provide additional information or give any indication if the action involved Holladay’s work as … Continued