Education, Inc. series

A three-day series by The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Ind.) examined the local charter schools run by national, for-profit Imagine Schools Inc., the largest charter school management company in the nation. The series found that the idea of local, independent control - demanded by IRS rules governing non-profits - is non-existent, as the hired management company makes all major decisions. The series also found that when the local board does make big decisions, it often does so in secret, despite state Open Door laws. The series also uncovered how the local school secretly started two charter school corporations in Texas and appointed their own chairman to the board there.