Oklahoma State Virtual Charter School Board To Hold Hearing On Allegations Against Epic

The Oklahoma State Virtual Charter School Board will hold a hearing to assess allegations that Epic One-On-One Charter School violated its operating contract. 

Following last week’s state audit, a deputy state attorney general presented to the board allegations that Epic violated its agreement with Oklahoma on multiple fronts. 

The board voted 3-1 to hold a hearing where it would decide whether or not the allegations are true. If so, the board could terminate the Epic One-On-One that allows the district to operate in Oklahoma. 

The hearing, scheduled for Jan. 20, will operate similar to a trial, according to the OSVCSB Chair John Harrington. Epic will have an opportunity to contest each allegation through testimony, calling witnesses and admitting other evidence. 

Epic is accused of using Oklahoma funds to assist the company’s operations in California, not cooperating fully with the state auditor’s office, and improperly moving state dollars between its two entities, Epic One-on-One and Epic Blended. 

Read the full allegations from the state attorney general here: 

The OSVCSB only certifies Epic One-on-One, which is one of six statewide virtual charter schools in Oklahoma. Epic Blended is certified with Rose State College through a separate contract. 

Epic One-on-One is the bigger half with about 36,000 students out of more than 60,000 across both districts. 

“Please do not act rashly by circumventing the pursuit of truth,” said Epic Superintendent Bart Banfield, who spoke during the public comment section of the board meeting. 

“You have my word that Epic is fully prepared to work cooperatively with the board, the state department of education and the special counsel in pursuit of the facts,” he said, adding that they intend to fact-check the audit after its working documents are made public.