NAMPA -- Nepotism, spending problems and unqualified teachers.
They're all allegations the Nampa Classical Academy is facing in its first year of existence. Now, the State Charter School Commission is taking a closer look at the academy to see about possibly revoking its charter and closing the school where 540 students attend.
One concern, whether the academy is giving special preference to family members in the hiring process. The director of operations, Isaac Moffett, is the twin brother of the acting board chairman, Mike Moffett. Their mom, Carol Luke, is a custodian. Their adopted sister, Annette Reese, is the secretary. In another family, special aide, Linda Mikel, is the mother-in-law of board member Bryon Merrill.
Isaac Moffett says conflict of interest potentials were disclosed early on, and says it's the headmaster that does the hiring.
"I'm not involved in family hiring. They have every right to apply. If they're the best qualified and the headmaster deemed that they're the best qualified, it's his prerogative to hire those classified individuals," Isaac Moffett said.
The state says so far, hiring practices seem to be ethical but it continues to investigate.
What the commission is concerned about is that two teachers may not be qualified to teach. The school has requested temporary teaching certificates for them while they get the required training.
The state is also looking at the school's spending. However, there's one big problem with that. No one at the school knows the budget. The academy hired a money management group in Utah to do its financing and they say the group isn't turning information over. Attorneys could soon be involved.
Also, four board members resigned this month. Isaac Moffett says it's over personality conflicts and disagreements about the school's vision.
"I don't see this being any different than most entrepreneur endeavors when you bring other people in. Business often will have splits in vision and disagreements where one party will have to split ways," Isaac Moffett said.
He says the main focus remains the same -- the students.
"They're thriving here and that really should be the message of NCA, not the little squabbles on the board, not the blown out proportion from the media, it should be what's happening in classroom," Isaac Moffett said.
The parents KTVB spoke to say they are happy with the school.
"It's great. He's having a good time. He likes it. He likes it a lot," parent Mark Spear said.
"We want to make sure that our children receive the best education that they can so that's why we chose this school, " parent Dana Zahorka said.
The commission will meet Nov. 12 for its scheduled board meeting. That's when it will report its findings.
Meanwhile, Nampa Classical Academy is awaiting word from a lawsuit it filed against the state for an unrelated matter. The school was told it couldn't use the Bible and other religious texts as part of its curriculum. The school says it's not suing for money. It just wants that decision reversed.
