SAVE LATIN ACADEMY!
Donation protected
Dear Latin Academy Supporter,
I need your help. On June 30th, 2016, Latin Academy Charter School will permanently close its doors if we do not receive your support.
Latin Academy was put in a challenging financial situation when the former managing director (who is no longer connected to the school) allegedly stole over half a million dollars.
Because of this alleged theft, we need a one-time bailout to cover our operational expenses for the month of July and keep our school open.
With your help, HUNDREDS of low-income students will be able to hold on to their one opportunity to obtain a high quality education and transform their lives.
I don't believe that our students and our community should have to suffer because of the wrong-doing of one person -- and if you agree with me, you should donate right now.
All of our stakeholders are working diligently to help our school achieve our goal. Our staff has pledged to raise $15,000, and our Board is pledging to match that.
Even our students are helping. Each student is working to get 10 people to donate $10. When they reach their goal, I will shave half of my head!
All of us are all in, and we need your support. If gofundme is not your thing, please visit our website to learn of other ways you can make a tax-deductible donation. But whatever you do, please donate now. If everyone who visited our page donated $10, we would have already reached our goal! Every dollar counts!
Thank you for helping us keep our doors open. After you donate, please share with others, and get 10 of your friends and coworkers to donate $10 too!
#10For$10 #SOSLatinAcademy
Sincerely,
Aja Kweliona, Principal
P.S. All donations are tax deductible, and Latin Academy will issue you a tax-deductible receipt once the campaign is complete.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Who we are:
Latin Academy Charter School is a staple in a low-income community that provides high quality education to the most at-risk children in Atlanta at no cost. Since opening in 2012, we have out performed every traditional public school in Atlanta which serves students like ours.
Latin Academy Charter School's mission is to prepare each of its students to enter and succeed in college, develop strong character, and live with purpose. We do this by providing a classically-based education which develops students' logic and reasoning abilities, and equips them to take actions that address social injustices within our community.
The purpose of Latin Academy Charter School is to serve as a vehicle for the positive transformation of students' lives. We empower students so they may open all doors of possibility and opportunity for high school, college, and the world beyond. At Latin, we ensure students are academically and behaviorally prepared to take on any and all collegiate and professional challenges in the 21st century.
Who are our students?
Our school is a Title I school meaning that over half of our students come from low-income households.
Over 88% of our student population is eligible for free and reduced lunch, and over 99% of our students are African-American. Our students come from all over Atlanta, with most residing in NW, SW, and SE Atlanta. We currently provide transportation to students living in zip codes 30311, 30336, 30318, 30315, 30310, 30314, and 30354.
Additionally, the overwhelming majority of our students come to Latin Academy three or more grade levels behind. However, this year alone, our students, on average, have already obtained two grade levels of growth in 5 months.
What will happen to our students if this school closes?
Read these parent, teacher and student testimonials to find out:
Latin Academy appreciates and supports all schools in the Atlanta Public School district, however, year after year, Latin Academy has outperformed schools in Atlanta serving the same demographic we serve. If Latin Academy closes, our students will have to attend the schools that we consistently outperform.
Is the go fund me legit?
The Go Fund Me at https://www.gofundme.com/operationlacs is the only legitimate fundraising site for Latin Academy.
What happened to Latin Academy's finances and how did they fix it?
Latin Academy was put in a challenging financial situation when the former managing director (who is no longer connected to the school) allegedly stole over half a million dollars.
Because of this alleged theft, we need a one-time bailout to cover our operational expenses for the month of July and keep our school open.
Since the transition of new leadership, an incredible amount of financial controls and safeguards have been put in place to ensure every cent Latin Academy spends or receives is fully accounted for.
Latin Academy’s new leadership is deeply committed to ensuring dollars are spent to improve educational outcomes for students, and this year, the school has done just that. The new leadership at Latin trusts systems, not people, when it comes to our finances, and given the financial systems that we put it place this year, it is virtually impossible for money to be stolen.
Some of the changes we have made include:
· Hiring a new Principal/Managing Director/CEO, who had no previous connection to Latin Academy Charter School or its former employees.
· Hiring a new Dean of Administration, who had no previous connection to Latin Academy Charter School, its former employees or the current Principal.
· Hiring a third-party CFO and finance team who also had no previous connection to Latin Academy Charter School or its former employees, is not an employee of Latin Academy Charter School, and is not managed by the school.
(The third-party CFO and finance team included a CFO, Accounting Manager, Accountant, and Bookkeeper. This was done to eliminate conflict of interest, maintain segregation of duties, ensure financial accountability, and eliminate financial risk. Previously, all finances were managed in-house.)
· Implementing fiscal controls that require all financial transactions to be approved by:
1) the third-party Bookkeeper
2) Latin Academy Dean of Administration
3) Latin Academy Managing Director
4) third-party Accountant
5) third-party CFO, and for expenses over $5,000
6) the Latin Academy Treasurer
With this accountability measure, no money can leave or come into Latin Academy without Latin Academy management and the third-party finance team knowing.
Previously, all transactions were only seen by the former Latin Academy Managing Director and the former Latin Academy CFO & Director of Operations and Administration.
How will I know that the money is not being stolen?
In addition to the changes mentioned above, it is also good to know that because Latin Academy is a public school, our financial records are public records – including bank statements which can never be altered. You may submit a request to the Principal or the Board Chair for any and all financial records you would like to see, and according to the law, we must comply within three days. See below for more details:
The Georgia Open Records Act requires all public organizations to produce requested public records within a three-day limit or give written reasons why the records are unavailable in this time period and a timetable for their prompt production. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1)(A).
Additionally if the request is denied in whole or in part, the law requires the agency to justify all redactions by reference to the exemptions in the Act, specifying code section, subsection and paragraph. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(d). The law also requires the agency to release all other portions of a record that contains exempt material. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(b).
The Georgia Open Records Act sets criminal and civil penalties of $1000 for any person or entity that fails to comply with the terms of the Act. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-74.
I need your help. On June 30th, 2016, Latin Academy Charter School will permanently close its doors if we do not receive your support.
Latin Academy was put in a challenging financial situation when the former managing director (who is no longer connected to the school) allegedly stole over half a million dollars.
Because of this alleged theft, we need a one-time bailout to cover our operational expenses for the month of July and keep our school open.
With your help, HUNDREDS of low-income students will be able to hold on to their one opportunity to obtain a high quality education and transform their lives.
I don't believe that our students and our community should have to suffer because of the wrong-doing of one person -- and if you agree with me, you should donate right now.
All of our stakeholders are working diligently to help our school achieve our goal. Our staff has pledged to raise $15,000, and our Board is pledging to match that.
Even our students are helping. Each student is working to get 10 people to donate $10. When they reach their goal, I will shave half of my head!
All of us are all in, and we need your support. If gofundme is not your thing, please visit our website to learn of other ways you can make a tax-deductible donation. But whatever you do, please donate now. If everyone who visited our page donated $10, we would have already reached our goal! Every dollar counts!
Thank you for helping us keep our doors open. After you donate, please share with others, and get 10 of your friends and coworkers to donate $10 too!
#10For$10 #SOSLatinAcademy
Sincerely,
Aja Kweliona, Principal
P.S. All donations are tax deductible, and Latin Academy will issue you a tax-deductible receipt once the campaign is complete.
-------
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who we are:
Latin Academy Charter School is a staple in a low-income community that provides high quality education to the most at-risk children in Atlanta at no cost. Since opening in 2012, we have out performed every traditional public school in Atlanta which serves students like ours.
Latin Academy Charter School's mission is to prepare each of its students to enter and succeed in college, develop strong character, and live with purpose. We do this by providing a classically-based education which develops students' logic and reasoning abilities, and equips them to take actions that address social injustices within our community.
The purpose of Latin Academy Charter School is to serve as a vehicle for the positive transformation of students' lives. We empower students so they may open all doors of possibility and opportunity for high school, college, and the world beyond. At Latin, we ensure students are academically and behaviorally prepared to take on any and all collegiate and professional challenges in the 21st century.
Who are our students?
Our school is a Title I school meaning that over half of our students come from low-income households.
Over 88% of our student population is eligible for free and reduced lunch, and over 99% of our students are African-American. Our students come from all over Atlanta, with most residing in NW, SW, and SE Atlanta. We currently provide transportation to students living in zip codes 30311, 30336, 30318, 30315, 30310, 30314, and 30354.
Additionally, the overwhelming majority of our students come to Latin Academy three or more grade levels behind. However, this year alone, our students, on average, have already obtained two grade levels of growth in 5 months.
What will happen to our students if this school closes?
Read these parent, teacher and student testimonials to find out:
Latin Academy appreciates and supports all schools in the Atlanta Public School district, however, year after year, Latin Academy has outperformed schools in Atlanta serving the same demographic we serve. If Latin Academy closes, our students will have to attend the schools that we consistently outperform.
Is the go fund me legit?
The Go Fund Me at https://www.gofundme.com/operationlacs is the only legitimate fundraising site for Latin Academy.
What happened to Latin Academy's finances and how did they fix it?
Latin Academy was put in a challenging financial situation when the former managing director (who is no longer connected to the school) allegedly stole over half a million dollars.
Because of this alleged theft, we need a one-time bailout to cover our operational expenses for the month of July and keep our school open.
Since the transition of new leadership, an incredible amount of financial controls and safeguards have been put in place to ensure every cent Latin Academy spends or receives is fully accounted for.
Latin Academy’s new leadership is deeply committed to ensuring dollars are spent to improve educational outcomes for students, and this year, the school has done just that. The new leadership at Latin trusts systems, not people, when it comes to our finances, and given the financial systems that we put it place this year, it is virtually impossible for money to be stolen.
Some of the changes we have made include:
· Hiring a new Principal/Managing Director/CEO, who had no previous connection to Latin Academy Charter School or its former employees.
· Hiring a new Dean of Administration, who had no previous connection to Latin Academy Charter School, its former employees or the current Principal.
· Hiring a third-party CFO and finance team who also had no previous connection to Latin Academy Charter School or its former employees, is not an employee of Latin Academy Charter School, and is not managed by the school.
(The third-party CFO and finance team included a CFO, Accounting Manager, Accountant, and Bookkeeper. This was done to eliminate conflict of interest, maintain segregation of duties, ensure financial accountability, and eliminate financial risk. Previously, all finances were managed in-house.)
· Implementing fiscal controls that require all financial transactions to be approved by:
1) the third-party Bookkeeper
2) Latin Academy Dean of Administration
3) Latin Academy Managing Director
4) third-party Accountant
5) third-party CFO, and for expenses over $5,000
6) the Latin Academy Treasurer
With this accountability measure, no money can leave or come into Latin Academy without Latin Academy management and the third-party finance team knowing.
Previously, all transactions were only seen by the former Latin Academy Managing Director and the former Latin Academy CFO & Director of Operations and Administration.
How will I know that the money is not being stolen?
In addition to the changes mentioned above, it is also good to know that because Latin Academy is a public school, our financial records are public records – including bank statements which can never be altered. You may submit a request to the Principal or the Board Chair for any and all financial records you would like to see, and according to the law, we must comply within three days. See below for more details:
The Georgia Open Records Act requires all public organizations to produce requested public records within a three-day limit or give written reasons why the records are unavailable in this time period and a timetable for their prompt production. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1)(A).
Additionally if the request is denied in whole or in part, the law requires the agency to justify all redactions by reference to the exemptions in the Act, specifying code section, subsection and paragraph. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(d). The law also requires the agency to release all other portions of a record that contains exempt material. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(b).
The Georgia Open Records Act sets criminal and civil penalties of $1000 for any person or entity that fails to comply with the terms of the Act. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-74.
Organizer and beneficiary
Aja Kweliona
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
Latin Academy
Beneficiary