NEW ORLEANS — The Einstein Group, a network of three charter schools in New Orleans East, plans to fire its school bus provider based on the findings of an exclusive WWL-TV investigation.
The station found evidence that the bus provider, Scholars First, was using falsified insurance certificates as proof that its school buses were insured. After WWL-TV reported that the insurance agency and insurance underwriter listed on those documents said the records were false, the state launched a criminal investigation.
The Louisiana Department of Insurance issued emergency orders this week declaring Scholars First's insurance documentation for Einstein Group, New Beginnings and Success Prep "fraudulent."
Einstein CEO Michael McKenzie already told WWL-TV he was looking into replacing Scholars First. But Friday, Einstein's public charter school board posted a notice for its meeting next Tuesday, stating the agenda will include a resolution authorizing board president Durrell Laurent to send a letter terminating Scholars First's contract as of April 12.
Cheron Brylski, a spokeswoman for Einstein charter schools, told WWL-TV on Sunday that McKenzie would be issuing a statement to parents Monday notifying them of the transition from Scholars First to a new bus provider, A&S Transportation Inc. of Naples, Fla.
McKenzie's statement says Scholars First agreed to help with a transition beginning Tuesday, April 9, and running through April 16, with A&S taking over all routes and drivers on April 17. He said school leaders and staff would be riding the buses to and from school with the students on April 17.
McKenzie also said an A&S smartphone app would be available on the Einstein charter schools website with GPS tracking of buses.
McKenzie also said he would host a "coffee and conversation" for parents and others in the school community on April 10 at Einstein Charter High School/Sarah T. Reed.
