logo
What's next for Epic Charter School after layoffs, resignations?

What's next for Epic Charter School after layoffs, resignations?

Yahoo13-06-2025
Families and educators at Epic Charter School now face a summer of uncertainty as the charter school system downsizes its staff, facilities and course offerings.
A leadership change and a state investigation have piled on top of the cuts. The virtual charter school's superintendent, Bart Banfield, resigned Monday, days after Epic laid off 357 teachers and administrators. Its deputy superintendent of finance, Jeanise Wynn, resigned April 11.
'There hasn't been much transparency about why and what are we doing,' Epic teacher and parent Sarah Kitterman said. 'What actions are we taking to make sure this changes and we don't do this again?'
Kitterman, of Edmond, said Epic lost programs that were difference-makers for students. Her own children benefited from a now-eliminated ELA+ program that offered bonus reading classes.
Students won't get that extra English language arts instruction without the program, she said, and it's unclear how Epic will repeat the 'incredible' learning gains that ELA+ produced. A similar Math+ program has been reduced to grades 6-12 only.
The closure of Epic's Blended Learning Centers is a loss, too, Kitterman said. The centers, which offered in-person instruction in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, often had waiting lists.
Students with disabilities especially sought a place at the learning centers, said Kitterman, a special education teacher.
'Does that mean that we're going to have an overload of students on our rosters now?' she said. 'We can't serve those students the same way that they were being served. So where do those students go?'
Epic announced it would give students from the learning centers priority in another face-to-face instructional option, Comet Academy.
Also gone are Epic's options for full-time in-person instruction five days a week, its school meal services, and all of its Chinese and Latin courses. Other services, like Advanced Placement courses, have been outsourced to other entities, some now costing a fee.
'These changes are part of our ongoing reorganization to better serve the 30,000 students statewide who choose Epic for their education, and to position the state's largest public virtual charter school for strength and success in the years to come,' the school told families in an email last week.
Members of Epic's school board spoke little of the school's financial situation Thursday in their first meeting since the layoffs and Banfield's departure. The board, which is scheduled to meet again Tuesday, approved a new treasurer, assistant treasurer and encumbrance clerk for Epic, who will join the new chief financial officer, Michael Flory.
The school board has yet to approve a budget for the 2025-26 school year, which must be done before the next fiscal year begins on July 1.
The Statewide Charter School Board, a state agency that oversees Epic, is now investigating the school's finances.
After its enrollment skyrocketed to over 60,000 children in 2020, Epic has steadily lost students and, as a result, state funding. An influx of federal pandemic aid funds also came to an end in September.
To make matters worse, Epic administrators significantly miscalculated when crafting their budget for the 2024-25 academic year. Enrollment came in 4,000 students short of what administrators expected, prompting a round of layoffs in October that cost 144 jobs.
The cuts continued this month when Epic slashed 83 teaching positions and 274 administrators.
Banfield soon followed out the door.
'At Epic, we often say, 'The only constant is change,'' Banfield wrote in his resignation letter, which Oklahoma Voice obtained. 'Over the course of this school year, it has become clear to me that it is time for a new chapter. With deep gratitude, I am formally submitting my resignation. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Board of Education, the Epic staff, and most importantly, the hundreds of thousands of families who have chosen Epic as their school of choice since 2011. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you over the past 11 years. I wish you the very best. Go Comets!'
Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Justin Hunt will serve as interim superintendent while the board searches for a candidate to hire permanently.
'I appreciate the trust and respect, and (I'm) looking forward to moving into next school year for the 30,000 kids that need us and choose us as a school option,' Hunt said during Thursday's school board meeting.
As for Kitterman, she plans to return for her fourth school year teaching at Epic, and her three children will continue to attend, she said. Until this point, Kitterman has felt like a valued employee, she said, but the lack of transparency around the layoffs and cuts put that sense of value in doubt.
'I plan to stay as long as Epic is open,' Kitterman said. 'We've loved it, so that's my hope. It's just so scary.'
Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Epic Charter School downsizing staff, facilities, course offerings
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

China's Stealthy Solar Exports Stay One Step Ahead of US Tariffs
China's Stealthy Solar Exports Stay One Step Ahead of US Tariffs

Bloomberg

time13 minutes ago

  • Bloomberg

China's Stealthy Solar Exports Stay One Step Ahead of US Tariffs

The hum of solar panel factories in this steamy island city doesn't sound like much. But to American trade officials, it's the muffled noise of rules being bent — or broken. In recent months, Batam, a duty-free Indonesian enclave a short ferry ride from Singapore, has become a key waypoint in a convoluted global shuffle. Chinese solar manufacturers, facing stiff US tariffs, are quietly assembling their equipment in Indonesia and slipping their products into the American market, tariff-free.

Webull Australia Announces Sharesight Integration
Webull Australia Announces Sharesight Integration

Yahoo

time41 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Webull Australia Announces Sharesight Integration

Webull's new integration with Sharesight automatically connects trades across global markets, showing real-time tax and performance information for users The integration works with a variety of different account types and trading styles Built with SOC 2 enterprise-level security, sensitive data is kept safe while ensuring seamless functionality SYDNEY, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Webull Securities (Australia) Pty Ltd ('Webull Australia'), a subsidiary of Webull Corporation (NASDAQ: BULL), the owner of the Webull trading platform, has today announced a partnership with Sharesight, the award-winning online portfolio tracker trusted by over 500,000 investors worldwide. Webull Australia users can now automatically connect their trades across Australian, U.S., Hong Kong, and Chinese financial markets with Sharesight to see real-time information about key performance metrics, dividend payments, franking credits and tax obligations. Whether trades are made through a personal account, an SMSF, or a company account, the integration is built to handle the needs of active traders and long-term investors managing sophisticated tax obligations. To mark the launch, Webull users receive an exclusive 33% discount on a 12-month Sharesight premium subscription, only available through the Webull app. The new feature uses SOC 2-certified security, ensuring that financial data is handled with the highest standards of privacy and protection. "This partnership is made for investors who are serious about their portfolio. By working with Sharesight, we're giving Webull users the clarity and control they need to stay on top of both performance and tax; no spreadsheets needed," says Rob Talevski, CEO of Webull Securities Australia. "Through our collaboration with Webull, we believe this a great opportunity to bring our world-class portfolio and tax reporting tools to more Australian investors. This partnership is about making things simple, clear, and helping people invest with confidence," says Doug Morris, CEO of Sharesight. Webull's Sharesight integration will go live on the 25th of July 2025. Investors can learn more by visiting the Webull website or downloading the latest version of the Webull app. Media contact: Cognito for Webull Webull@ About Webull Australia Webull Securities (Australia) Pty. Ltd. is a leading financial services provider, holding an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL 536980) and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). As a trading participant of both the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Cboe Australia, and a principal member of the Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association, Webull ensures the highest standards of service and security. All client funds are securely held in client money trust accounts at an approved Authorized Deposit-taking Institution (ADI), and all Australian shares are CHESS-sponsored. About Webull Webull Corporation (NASDAQ: BULL) owns and operates Webull, a leading digital investment platform built on next-generation global infrastructure. Through its global network of licensed brokerages, Webull offers investment services in 14 markets across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. Webull serves more than 24 million registered users globally, providing retail investors with 24/7 access to global financial markets. Users can put investment strategies to work by trading global stocks, ETFs, options, futures, fractional shares, and digital assets through Webull's trading platform, which seamlessly integrates market data and information, its user community, and investor education resources. Learn more at About SharesightSharesight is a powerful portfolio tracking and tax reporting solution trusted by hundreds of thousands of investors worldwide. With automated data imports, performance insights, and tax-ready reporting, Sharesight helps investors and advisors save time and make better decisions. Recognised for its excellence in investment management solutions, including being a finalist in the 2025 Australian Wealth Management Awards in the "Wealth Tech Innovator of the Year" category, Sharesight is utilised by over 500,000 investors across more than 100 countries. The platform offers features such as tracking of over 700,000 global stocks, ETFs, and funds across more than 60 stock exchanges, automated dividend tracking, and detailed tax reporting tools. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Webull Securities (Australia) Pty Ltd

I test drove BYD's latest midsize SUV. It accelerates faster than a Porsche Cayenne Coupe S.
I test drove BYD's latest midsize SUV. It accelerates faster than a Porsche Cayenne Coupe S.

Business Insider

time43 minutes ago

  • Business Insider

I test drove BYD's latest midsize SUV. It accelerates faster than a Porsche Cayenne Coupe S.

In April, BYD outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time. The Chinese EV giant has a key model in almost every segment, including the Sealion 7. Our reviewer was impressed by the midsize SUV's handling. BYD is on a roll, with a key model in nearly every segment: the Dolphin in compact hatchbacks, the Seal in sedans, the M6 in MPVs, and the Atto 3 in compact SUVs. The lineup reflects a strategy designed to match drivers' needs in nearly every stage of life. Last month, I borrowed a Sealion 7 and spent three days driving it around Singapore to get a feel for the car. The midsize SUV has two variants: Premium and AWD Performance. I test drove the higher-end AWD Performance model, which is priced at 219,000 yuan, or about $30,500. The Sealion 7 was first unveiled at the 2023 Guangzhou Auto Show and made its international debut at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. In the first half of 2025, BYD overtook Toyota to become Singapore's top-selling car brand. By April, it was also outselling Tesla in EV sales across Europe. On the outside After spending three days driving the car around Singapore, I can't find much to complain about the Sealion 7's design. Even the panel gaps and finish are solid — a big step up from how people used to view Chinese cars. Part of BYD's visual success comes down to its design team, led by Wolfgang Egger, who joined BYD in 2017. Egger was the designer behind some of Alfa Romeo's best-looking models. As the more premium Sealion variant, this one features red brake calipers — perhaps a subtle hint at how fast it can go. The less subtle way BYD is shouting about how fast its Sealion 7 AWD Performance is? A "4.5S" badge slapped on the back — signaling that it hits 62 mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds. The Porsche Cayenne Coupe S takes 4.7 seconds. Behind the wheel Since we're on the topic of performance — and given that this is the more powerful variant — the risk of losing my license on Singapore's heavily policed roads felt real. Speed limits here top out at just 90 km/h, or about 56 mph. Whenever a car crept up behind me, I was tempted to unleash all 523 bhp and 690 Nm of torque. And funnily enough, it felt like, or maybe I imagined, that every Tesla I passed was daring me to do it. I'll admit it: I may have caved once or twice. But after watching how fast the range dropped whenever I floored it, I decided to drive like a more responsible 40-something. It's worth highlighting how refined the Sealion 7 feels in everyday driving. On the expressway, it cruises comfortably at fast speeds with minimal wind or road noise. Tire noise is slightly noticeable, though — this variant runs on performance-oriented Michelin Pilot Sport EVs, which tend to be louder due to their tread pattern. Still, that hardly matters when you have the standard 12-speaker DynAudio sound system and double-glazed windows. Together, they ensured I could enjoy my playlist without interruption. For the curious: Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Sam Smith, John Mayer, Stereophonics, and Fuel were part of the mix. The 15.6-inch touchscreen rotates to portrait mode and controls everything from windows and climate to in-car karaoke. When karaoke is activated, the screen displays a QR code that passengers can scan — so drivers don't get distracted by the lyrics. Back in 2008, I reviewed a Chinese SUV at a time when the country was still new to exporting cars. I remember thinking its handling was underwhelming, even questioning how safe it would be in an emergency maneuver. Well, it's now 2025, and it's clear that ride and handling have improved. In this all-wheel-drive variant, I would be confident to take it down winding roads. Steering feedback is reassuring, and stopping power is just as strong. On the inside The seats are comfortable and well-cushioned, offering solid support for long drives. That said, I found the back seats were a bit low for my liking — a matter of personal preference, but worth keeping in mind for taller passengers. The driving position is excellent, with great outward and all-around visibility. All the key controls are within easy reach, and the steering wheel is perfectly sized for a confident grip. If there's one area that could be improved, it's the font size on the driver display. It's slightly too small, especially for those not quite ready for reading glasses, but not far off either. I also found the Driver Attention Warning overly sensitive — it popped up every time I yawned, displaying a coffee icon and suggesting I take a break, which became mildly irritating. I returned the keys to the BYD Sealion 7 feeling genuinely impressed. While I haven't tested the more affordable Premium variant, the extra 42,620 Chinese yuan for the AWD Performance model feels justified. It has stronger performance, larger wheels with better tires, and an all-wheel-drive system that adds both confidence and capability. I drove 223 miles on a full charge and returned the car with 7% battery remaining — about 20 miles of range. That falls slightly short of the brochure's quoted 460 km, or 286 miles, WLTP range, but in real-world conditions, it's still solid for everyday use.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store