Texas Private Schools involved in nepotism, conflicts of interest : Report

In USA, most of the private schools are openly involved in alleged nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest. An investigation by ProPublica and Texas Tribune found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws  in Texas.. As per reports, for about eight years, a Houston private school has followed a unique pattern when appointing members to its governing board: It has selected only married couples. Over 200 miles away, two private schools in Dallas have awarded more than $7 million in combined contracts to their board members. At least seven private schools across Texas have issued personal loans, often reaching $100,000 or more, to their school leaders under terms that are often hidden from public view, it said. Such practices would violate laws governing public and charter schools. But private schools operate largely outside those rules because they haven’t historically received direct

Recently the State has introduced voucher programs for private schools. Governor Greg Abbott gave school voucher proponents a major win this year, signing into law one of the largest and costliest programs in the country. The law, however, imposes no restrictions to prevent the kinds of entanglements. However, public or charter school officials who violate these rules could be subject to removal from office, fines or even state jail felony charges. Private schools face none of those consequences.Supporters of the voucher program argue that oversight of private schools should come not from the state, but from their boards and the marketplace, report noted.

Probe also said that neither parents nor the state’s taxpayers have access to information that shows precisely how private schools spend money. Only those that are organized as nonprofits are required to file public tax forms that offer limited information. Of the state’s more than 1,000 accredited private schools, many are exempt from submitting such filings because they are religious or for-profit institutions,