Monday was not a good day for Epic Virtual Charter Schools.<\/p>
The virtual charter behemoth is facing fresh scrutiny from Oklahoma leaders in the wake of an investigative audit report that says they owe millions of dollars to the state.<\/span><\/p> Oklahoma\u2019s State Board of Education met and after hours of deliberations, unanimously put in motion an $11.2 million clawback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> The demands include asking for $8.9 million in payroll costs over the past six years after Epic underreported how much it paid administrators. A 2016 incident when Epic reclassified some costs to avoid a $2.6 million penalty for exceeding the administrative cost limit now needs to be repaid. So does $203,000 in taxpayer dollars paid to Epic\u2019s California charter school.<\/span><\/p> \u201cThis is not normal,\u201d said Carlisha Williams Bradley, a former charter school superintendent and current member of the state school board. \u201cThis is not OK.\u201d<\/span><\/p> After the meeting, state schools superintendent Joy Hofmeister said Epic would have 60 days to pay the money back, and if it doesn’t,\u00a0 the State Department of Education would withhold future funds.<\/span><\/p> In a statement on Twitter<\/span><\/a>, Epic said it <\/span>disputes the audit findings<\/span><\/a> and will work to prove it does not owe the penalties.<\/span><\/p> As for day-to-day operations of the school, there shouldn\u2019t be any negative consequences for students in the immediate future, Hofmeister said.<\/span><\/p> \u201cOur action today should in no way cause disruption to students and their families in learning right now,\u201d Hofmeister said.<\/span><\/p> Additionally, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter appointed special counsel Melissa McLawhorn Houston to review the auditor\u2019s report and make determinations about criminal charges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u201cWith assistance and resources provided from my office, she will conduct an extensive review of the auditor\u2019s findings and make recommendations based on the rule of law,\u201d Hunter said in a press release.<\/span><\/p> The State Virtual Charter School Board posted its <\/span>agenda<\/span><\/a> Monday, including an item that says it would consider terminating its contract with Epic Virtual Charter Schools.<\/span><\/p>