FETULLAH GULEN’S Schools are all over the US

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63 responses to “FETULLAH GULEN’S Schools are all over the US”

1. 

   Gulens A. Fraud

   August 15, 2009

   Isnt’ that wonderful? It makes me wonder how many millions of dollars Gulen and his followers are stealing from the United States government every year by means of the Tuzuk (the contract that the Turkish nationals/school employees are required to adhere to requiring them to give back as much as 40% of their salaries in cash). And yes, they also have to give back their tax refunds, and State Retirement funds when they leave the schools. Gulen is extorting money from his brainwashed pack of followers and the United States government is letting it happen.

   Likewise, the schools are involved in immigration fraud, and discrimination issues (sex, race, & nationality).They only hire men (Gulen’s followers to be specific) as Directors, Business Managers, and Dean of Academics because they are all in cahoots with the Tuzuk contract. It would be far too dangerous to let an outsider in because then they might be exposed.

   Let’s hope the FBI remains vigilant and throws this bunch of crooks out. Our students deserve a better education and cannot get one when Gulen’s schools are essentially stealing government funding (or should I say laundering government funding), instead of making certain that the funding goes to quality teachers, supplies, etc.

   Look very closely before you send your child to one of the school’s on this list.
2. 

   linguistprof

   August 30, 2009

   I had kids at the school listed in Utah, and I saw many things there that concerned me. Please go to the Salt Lake Tribune web site, look up the article Utah Charter schools Turkey ties draw scrutiny. These schools are all over the place and I would like to see some answers to these questions, about the funding, financial issues, and the AGENDA! I am trying to start a Blog site where concerned parents and citizens can have a forum devoted to this topic. Please e-mail me at [email protected] if you have any information about this, or would like to talk to me about my experiences with the Gulen Movement.
3. 

   Concerned parent

   August 30, 2009

   My daughter had atteneded the Sonoran Science Academy here in Arizona. After we had been harrassed and mistreated by the staff members, I had removed my daughter from the school. It wasn’t until a few weeks after that my daughter had been removed from the school she had told me about a teacher that may have sexually harrased her and had given her things. She said she did not want to tell me about it for she was afraid that I would get into trouble. I had blogged about this and showed other reprts where students had been locked in closets as a form of disciipline.

   I had discovered the Gulen Movement by accident. It was when I started to blog about Gulen is when the school’s attorney had threatened me with a lawsuit and that should stop blogging about it.That If I continued that I would be barred from certain internet sites.

   A teacher had posted on a Turkish blog that he had not been paid three months. However the school had been able to three schools in two years one being the same as when the teacher had not been paid for his labors. This raises alot of intresting questions. The principal of the school had also went on record to the Arizona State Board of Charter Schools that their is no movement. A perfect example of what these articles are talking about. The use of taqiyya and sharia. Using our own democratic laws to impose their will with threats and intimadation in order advance the progress of these schools.

   Gulen schools was at 90 last year and is now up to 120 in the last year. But these schools all proffess that need your donations and tax credit offsets in order to advance the cause of cornering the charter school system.

   How could anyone trust their children at a school like this? It could be you the parent next time threatened with lawsuits if your child is ever placed in a dangerous sitution. By not informing me my child was left in that one particular classroom day in and day out. Placing her in possible harm and of course retaliation. These schools will violate your parental rights and of course are not advocates of the 1st Amendment. Unless of course it suits them first.

   The word “al-Taqiyya” literally means: “Concealing or disguising one’s beliefs, convictions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and/or strategies at a time of imminent danger, whether now or later in time, to save oneself from physical and/or mental injury.” A one-word translation would be “dissimulation.” [4]
4. 

   uha1

   August 31, 2009

   First, these are not Gulen’s schools. That description shows the obvious obsession beneath peoples approach. I simply love to see those schools opening all around the States. Few bad apples will not worsen the case.
5. 

   Gulens A. Fraud

   September 3, 2009

   The schools are under Gulen’s authority, despite their best efforts to hide and/or deny the facts. Gulen has tons of US money that he is funneling from US schools and can easily pay for lawyers to defend his organizations illegal activities.

   Some of Gulen’s “followers,” Turkish school employees, have visited him at his home in Pennsylvannia, and before doing so, were required to remove the cell phone batteries from their cell phones and rent a car before going to his home. If Gulen has nothing to hide, then how can he explain his “visitation rules?”

   So here is my question… when is the United States government going to stop this organization from stealing American teaching jobs, embezzling Federal and State funding (intended for our school children), perpetrating immigration fraud, and money laundering?
6. 

   Kim Cooper

   September 10, 2009

   My child attends one of these schools in Florida and we are VERY pleased so far. The teachers are very nice and they really do care about the kids. I have read a lot of things that are completely untrue so far. First, I must mention that they do employ women teachers. We have just as many women as men. They also teach about Christianity, Judaism and more in History class, no different than in any other public school. They do wear uniforms red, white and blue:) I have not seen anything at all that would worry me about my daughters school. Our schools first year opening 6 graders ranked # 1 on FCAT scores in Math and reading in our county. The teachers offer free tutoring one on one before and after school. Also, the Math and Science teachers usually have a PHD. Did I mention they also offer language classes. My daughter is taking Spanish. They really care about the kids education. My boys are in the IB program in our county and I wanted my daughter to have the same opportunity, but unfortunately it is very hard program to get into and I feel like this school is giving her better opportunities that she will get to experience now too. Although there are some very good middle schools in our county, most cannot give what she would need to achieve the same (ex. one on one tutoring). By the way we were zoned for a very good school. We just wanted more. Why would anyone complain about these schools, our school is GREAT and has fantastic teachers!!
7. 

   Gulens A. Fraud

   September 13, 2009

   Kim Cooper,

   How many of the women that are employed at your school are in a Dean of Academics, Director, or Business Management position. My guess is that there are none. I suspect that there are Turkish nationals in those key positions. And how many Americans (or foreigners as they refer to them) are on your school’s Board of Directors? Have you ever attended one of the Board meetings, and do any other parents ever attend them?

   You are clearly naive about what is really happening in Gulen’s schools. Outward appearances are deliberately orchestrated to effect a reputable business, but the truth is what it is, and that truth is that Gulen’s schools are stealing government funding for their benefit and not for the education of your children.
8. 

   Fanaturk

   September 14, 2009

   Gulens A. Fraud,

   One can not help but question the ulterior motives behind your “witch hunt” admonishing of schools. I am sure you do not have a dog in the fight other than being racist, remorseful, hateful in nature seeking nothing valuable to gain. Perhaps you are a semitic, hateful or intolerant of anything of Islamic color or taste..SAD!
   Obviously you are blind to any positive impact these schools make, condemining then without viable justifications while you condone immoral stories including rape and sadomy emanate from Catholic, Methodist or Hebrew schools..
   My friend, in a era of cyberage where information travels at speed of light to enable people all over the universe to get to know each other and embrace, using this media to spread lies, hate, and racism is the lowest form of the humanity.
9. 

   Concerned parent

   September 15, 2009

   My friend did you read what I posted earler? One of your schools did try to get away something. They lied about, hid it and concealed it. From me the parent. With out telling me I could have made choice to visit with the teacher. From there decide to keep her in that class, transfer her out or to pull her from that school in it’s entirety. They had denied my right as a parent. Why is that teacher still there? Is this all part of keeping secerets? Do you defend that, not informing the parent and why?

   So let me ask, does personal beleif go above the law of the land? Sexism? Not posting jobs for the public and to just insert one of your own when ever a space comes open? This is illegal.
   So far the only positive impact I have seen is in the pockets of those who run these schools. Have you read about the turkish teacher who complined about not being paid for three months? This school did that to one of their own. Obviously not high up on the pecking order of things.
   What about his family? His bills? His obligations to pay things? I bet the American teachers got paid. Why Nobody would ever tolerate that kinf of treatment and would blow the whistle.
10. 

    Concerned parent

    September 15, 2009

    If it is any indication that this school and the way this school conducts business and treats people here, I am more than sure it happens with all of them. When I had first visited this before the previous school year was out I had a tour of the school after being invited into it. I liked the message and liked its values. I had a dinner with the teachers and really liked them too. In return for having my daughter there I had some great ideas and plans that would really help them out. I had her enrolled immediately. She couldn’t wait for her new school.
    I had a friend an actor/film producer visit with the English class. His message is to never give up on your dreams. Do what you love. I had plans to raise the funds for an awesome software program. It would do 3d renderings for robotics and engineering. It could edit film for special effects etc. total cost 25g’s. I have a friend who used to teach at the university, physics and astronomy. He loves to give lectures with a telescope. Have you ever seen the rings of Saturn? Have you seen the stars of Orion’s belt? My favorite is the first star. It isn’t even a star but a cluster stars. It is hundreds of thousands of light years across. Through the lens it looks just a fraction of an inch. From that perspective it just blows the mind. Why would I not want to share that? I have another friend who is the producer of a local TV station. Non profits could haggle for air time. I am positive I could have created a nice summer project for the kids. To shoot, edit and air their own commercial for the school. How cool is that? I was putting together bikes for books programs for the elementary kids. But from what you can see here it was something to go towards the kids. Not dollars for the administrations. Why would they want that?? I am sure for asking these men my friends; we do have one thing that I value. Giving of one’s time. They sold us and many other parents on a lie. An image.
    One thing I liked about these schools is that it would give parents and those on the PA the freedom to do so. But it is so obvious that the school really cares nothing of these of things. They are all looking for the quick fix and the check writers of the world. It was those same freedoms that certain teachers abused. To place kids in dangerous situations. One had to stop off for a party with two of her students. I bet if I was able to give cash; those teachers would have been fired.
    So let me invite you and your family into my business and intimidate your child on the first day of school. Let me harass you for two weeks over the phone over a lie. Let me make your child go hungry one more day because I don’t like you personally. Let one of my staff members ogle your daughter. Then when you have had enough! And point all things out to me; I am going to threaten “you” with a lawsuit!! Not once but five times so far. They can pick on a little girl and only hand out empty threats to a parent. I am still waiting for my day in court. In fact I embrace it. It would better than my birthday.
    It was those freedoms these teachers that have taken advantage of and the administration had tried to lie, cover and conceal for each other. So before you draw the lines about nationality all those involved first hand were American teachers. It was the Turkish administration who refused to do their jobs and holds those accountable. It was the body as a whole. Weak leadership! You say they are a movement of peace and dialog? I say scared and greedy selfish men afraid of losing a dollar for Gulen. A cult. Why not? they starve their own to by more real estate and expand more schools. If they are willing to that to that then it is more than obvious they care nothing of the children and do just enough to put on a show for the parents to sell more pleads for your money to give to Gulen. It is a crying shame that they choose to exploit the children and families this way. The message by actions is we don’t want your time and things going for the kids, we just want your money. Every change in policy, dress codes and procedures has been geared into lining the pockets at the top. These schools are all the same. Gulen has aggressive money collectors at the bottom. It is our government funding it and the parents supplementing the rest.
11. 

    linguistprof

    October 20, 2009

    Fanaturk,
    Do you have a “dog in the fight”? or are you just one of Gulen’s loyal cronies? I find it very telling that you accuse Gulen’s a fraud of being racist, when you make such ridiculous comments such as “perhaps you are a semitic” and of stories of rape and sodomy coming out of Catholic, Methodist, or Hebrew schools. You my friend are the racist if there is one. Another thing, I thought that the Gulen schools were not teaching Islam, if so then why are you bringing up Islam? Gulen’s organization is geo-political, and as such it needs to be clarified that attacks on it are not attacks on Islam. Please get your facts straight!
12. 

    Gulens A. Fraud

    October 22, 2009

    Check out what happened to one guy who decided that he was not going to put up with Gulen’s charter school tactics and extortive measures. After you read this you will see that the organization will go to any means to discredit those who stand up to their illegal activities — even if it means defaming an innocent man, ruining his life, and intimidating his family.

    So anyone that still thinks that Gulen’s charter schools are simply his way of helping out our poor uneducated American students, is clearly as delusional as the US government that is allowing this to happen at warp speed.

    Read this website for details: http://www.freemustafaemanet.com
13. 

    fanaturk

    October 25, 2009

    To G. A. F:
    Do yourself a favor.

    There was a little bird so cold that it was shivering and trying to find a warm spot. All it could find was a small ditch on the ground but could not get warm. A cow passing by dropped its dirt on top of the bird. With the warmth of the manur the bird felt so comfy and started to chirping although he did realize what he was happy-chirpy about. A cat hearing that chirping comes and takes care of the little bird for good.
    The moral of the story is that if you are in lots of hot stuff and if you do not know what the hell you are talking about, it is your best bet to keep your mouth shut…
14. 

    Gulens A. Fraud

    October 26, 2009

    Fantaturk:

    It would appear that your thread is a threat, disguised as a fable. It sounds exactly like the kind of disatribe that one of Gulen’s puppets would espouse. Intimidation and threats are Gulen’s tools of the trade, and more often than not, opponents’ opinions and complaints against his followers are buried beneath the dissent.

    But unlike the bird in your story, I do not seek the shelter of superficial warmth, nor am I “shivering” in fear. My evidence is real, its credible, and it will be heard. So listen carefully, because I intend to continue to chirp as loudly as I can.

    And by the way — I can take the heat.
15. 

    Passerby

    October 26, 2009

    Fanaturk…

    Is that a threat? It sure sounds like one…
16. 

    Concerned parent

    October 27, 2009

    This what I have been talking about….You even talk bad or critiisize them in any way they threaten you.
    With anti walmart sights all over the internet and in print do you see them threatening people? How about AOL in its hey day? Your local cable company? Do these business’s threaten you? Of course not not at all. That is what makes Gulen and his Ghouls so dangerous. Your group and others like you would like to remove our 1st Amendmendment Rights, the Constitiution, and of course fall back upon a Sharia beleif. There are no honor killings here in America. But this is what I love about your Gulen follwers. They pick on a little girl and when I come out, you all cry like you are the victoms then go blaming others and even as far to make empty threats that they can’t back. Such brave men who bully little girls and can only run off at the mouth and have their women do the dirty work.

    Let me tell you another fable “Fana-Jerk.”

    Goldie Locks and Three Bears. If it wasn’t for your people tossing baby bears pourage into the trash can. Papa bear would have had no reason to stumble upon the Trojan Horse.

    Here is a news article about your prestigious Sonoran Science Academy. The responce I got about this article from a member of this school was “cultural differences” it doesn’t happen anymore. What is your comment on this????

    Closets are for Clothes

    “She reportedly expressed concern for all the children at the school.”

    West Ina Road and North La Cholla Boulevard, July 3, 10:40 a.m.

    Students at a local school complained to a teacher that one of her colleagues repeatedly shut them in a closet, according to report from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

    One day, a student reportedly made a comment to a female teacher about being detained in a male teacher’s classroom closet at the Sonoran Science Academy, 2131 W. Ina Road. At first, the woman thought the boy–a known prankster–was joking, the record said.

    Later, the boy commented about being stationed in the closet a little more than 90 minutes by the same man, the female teacher alleged. This time, she said, she asked the boy if he was sincere.

    At this point, about six other students reportedly claimed they had either been placed in the closet by the male teacher or had seen him put someone in it.

    The female teacher informed authorities that both she and the male teacher’s closets have desks in them. The students reportedly told her that they were shut in there with instructions not to sit down, turn on the light or open the door–which, she said, doesn’t have a lock.

    The woman told authorities a child developed asthma from, she believed, either being locked in the closet or being threatened with it. She reportedly expressed concern for all the children at the school.

    The female teacher was given a case number and the phone number to the Criminal Investigations Division.
17. 

    Passerby

    October 29, 2009

    If you liked the above story:

    Video can be found at: http://www.ksat.com/education/17612722/detail.html#video

    Student Claims She Was Humiliated By Teacher Over Rosary

    POSTED: Thursday, October 2, 2008
    UPDATED: 9:30 am CDT October 3, 2008
    SAN ANTONIO — An eighth-grader at a northwest side charter school said she was humiliated by one of her teachers over her religious expression.
    Kelsey, a 13-year-old at the School of Science and Technology’s Discovery campus, said one of her teachers humiliated her in front of her classmates while repeatedly questioning her religious beliefs because she wore a Catholic rosary.
    “She told me to take it off, and I told her no,” Kelsey said. “So she took me to the principal’s office and he took it away from me, and told me to get it at the end of the day.”
    Kelsey said she continued to wear the rosary to school only to have the unidentified teacher question her religious beliefs.
    “She has this teacher who is picking on her (about) something that’s none of her business, and no one will speak to me about it or address the situation,” said Marleana Ayala, Kelsey’s mother.
    School officials refused to speak about the situation, but did release a statement to KSAT 12 News.
    “Students have no problem exercising freedom of speech and freedom of religion, as long as they follow the general school’s rules and do not interfere with the rights of others,” the statement read. The statement did not elaborate on the exact school policy when pertaining to religious items.
    http://www.ksat.com/education/17612722/detail.html#story
18. 

    Fahrettin Altay Pasha

    October 30, 2009

    Guys, The FG movement is not a movement at all. Rather its a CULT. I would advise you to all get your children out of there immediately. Dont wait until end of semester, dont wait until end of year. DO IT TODAY!
    I am one for banning Gulen’s schools from my beloved Turkey. He has ruined Turkey with his mentality. Gulen is against anything Republican. This is not a threat… he is truly evil.

    Gulen was baught to the US in the 90’s when he was given status to remain due to “national interests”
    He is protected by the FBI and CIA.
    The plan was to use Gulen’s student (Whom are all part of the rulling current AKPARTY in Turkey)
    Look at what they have done to the country! The country is poorer, there is no democracy, the People are not able to express free will. All papers and tv stations not owned by Gullen Movement are ridiculed and allienated, then ultimately shutdown.
    The US used this man to wreck havoc on the Republic of Turkey. They have done a good job. Turkey is now at the brink of civil war and is about to take the same path as Yugoslavia did in the 80’s.
19. 

    concerned parent

    October 31, 2009

    Would you be able to have other Turkish post here explaining the damage Gulen has done to Turkey? As well as to why his schools are dangerous. I encourage you to do so that I may be able to share others??
20. 

    concerned parent

    October 31, 2009

    I checked on the School of Science and Tech. online. There is no policy about religious items. These guys make it up as they go along. Watch how they become reactive to this and eveything else. They will do anything to look in the public eye. To sell papers and protect those tax donations. If this is one thing that came to light I am sure there has been a lot more that has been briught forward. Email all the parents please and get there stories. Forward everthing to all parents about GUlen!! If they threaten you with a Lawyer dont worry abot it . Its just a threat and has no teeth. Just keep on telling others until these schools are out of your town. Its just a money scheme to suck the feds to feed Guken.
21. 

    concerned parent

    October 31, 2009

    I was only threatened after I started to post about Gulen. Everything else they seemed to tolarate. When notifying the princapal of the school he threatened me. I went to the schoold board after having to ask the princapal three times for their information(all Turks) I was ignored.

    I went to the state board of charter Schools. They have no power or authority to hold charters accountable NONE! They bank on this. I went to the US dept of ed. They know I have a case but they could not do anythng I missed the 120 day window. When asking the state bpard of charter schools if I could make my complaint further to someine else or highr they said no. They lie (Sharia?) To think all this would have been avaoided if they had just apologised and held those accountable. Instead they bully and threaten. In other school those teachers (to be fair who are American) would have been fired. Instead to draw any bad attention towards the school they make threats and back them. 7500 teachers statewide had been laid off from public schools. They could have had their pick. As a business it would make sence to fire them. But I guess good devotees are hard to find.

    Re: Sonoran Science Academy
    Dear Mr. Thacker
    As you are aware, this firm represents Daisy Education Corporation dba
    Sonoran Science Academy (“SSA”). SSA has been aware for several months
    that you are posting defamatory, insulting and inflammatory comments
    about SSA on craigslist. These posts are resulting in a significant
    disruption of the SSA community. Furthermore SSA may be suffering
    potential financial damages as a result of the false statements you are
    circulating in the online community.

    SSA responded numerous times to your complaints and concerns, responded
    to the Arizona State Board of Charter Schools and has allowed you to
    continue making defamatory comments on the internet for several months.
    Now it must stop.

    If you do not immediately cease posting SSA will pursue litigation against you, including an injunction to prohibit further publication of defamatory statements and a lawsuit for damages. SSA has been tracking and collecting evidence of your defamatory
    statements. Including copies of your posts on craigslist and will
    utilize this evidence in a lawsuit against you if necessary.

    Very Truly Yours,

    Heather K. Gaines

    Dear Ms. Gaines,

    Thank you for your letter dated June 29. I have reviewed it and would
    make these points.

    1. The “slap suit” is not a new idea but seems like a radical step for
    a charter school. That school to sue a parent who had a poor experience
    at Sonoran Science would appear to have a chilling effect on the
    aforementioned school’s ability to attract new students. Is it truly in
    the best interest of your client to have such a reputation?

    2. For a school filing a slap suit on a working-class single dad would
    be such a novelty that it would risk lending media credibility and a
    much larger platform for me to make my case. That charges would be
    hashed and rehashed and whatever harm done on Craig’s List would be
    magnified. And, as you are aware, gaining prior restraint against the
    media is an extremely high bar.

    3. I sold plasma to buy my daughter lunch and Sonoran Science staff
    threw it away, refusing to give it to her. That’s pretty compelling.
    4. Should you pursue legal action, your firm would make money off
    billable hours but every dime spent on pursuing a father struggling
    through the current economic challenges is a dime not spent teaching
    children. Is this the proper role of state and donation money that is
    supposed to be spent on children?

    5. How much are you willing to turn over during discovery? You are
    claiming that I am wrong in my assertions against Sonoran Science. I
    would then have the right to prove I’m not wrong. I’m not a lawyer
    (public school advocates may take an interest but let’s assume they
    don’t) and you can beat me back. But that’s more scut work for you,
    more money coming out of class rooms and more risk of media attention.

    6. All I want is an apology for: a) Not informing me of an
    investigation concerning my daughter’s accusation that a teacher had
    acted sexually inappropriately toward her; b) Forcing me no end of
    headache when both myself and doctors repeatedly provided records of
    immunization records Sonoran Science never seemed to get as they
    threatened to keep my daughter from class. Felt like harassment; and c)
    Throwing away a sandwich I bought with, literally, blood money. D) When
    informing the principal of the school he ignored my concerns and
    threatened me with a lawsuit. An apology, one for me and one to my
    daughter.

    I find it bizarre that you would threaten me with legal action for
    criticizing a public institution on a Web Site not typically covered by
    libel rules. I currently earn $12 an hour. I rent. I even rent my
    furniture. I have a car payment. I am a student. I send money to my
    ex-wife for my daughter. How much cash do you think you can get from
    me? Moreover, how many parents will send their children to a school
    that sues unhappy “customers”? They are a business.
    Food for thought.
22. 

    fanaturk

    November 2, 2009

    To G.A.F

    The way you have made-up and adapted the name as G.A.F is the true indication that you do not seek the shelter of superficial warmth, nor shivering in fear and can take the heat. Just be sure the “F” is not interpreted by someone as word with “off” ending.
23. 

    Passerby

    November 2, 2009

    UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
    DISTRICT OF NEVADA

    JACOB BEHYMER-SMITH, a Minor, by and
    through his Guardian ad Litem, PATIENCE
    BEHYMER,
    Plaintiff,
    v.
    CORAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, STEVEN
    J. WEST, BEN KARADUMAN and CHERYL
    GARLOCK,
    Defendants.
    ___________________________________

    3:06-CV-206-BES (RAM)
    TEMPORARY RESTRAINING
    ORDER

    Before this Court is Plaintiff’s Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order
    (#2), filed on April 11, 2006. A hearing on this matter was held on April 12, 2006 and was
    attended by the parties and their legal counsel.
    Upon consideration of Plaintiff’s Motion, the supporting evidence, the evidence
    presented at the hearing, and for other good cause shown, the Court finds that Plaintiff’s
    Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order should be granted.
    I. BACKGROUND
    Plaintiff, a ninth-grader at the Coral Academy of Science, is a finalist in the state Poetry
    Out Loud competition. On April 22, 2006 he is scheduled to compete against other high
    school students in the state finals in Carson City, Nevada. If he wins, Plaintiff will proceed to
    the national finals in Washington, D.C. in May. The competition is sponsored by the National
    Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, which published an Anthology of 140
    approved poems that may be recited by competition participants. (#2, Ex. 3). The Anthology
    contains a great variety of classic and contemporary poetry. One of the two poems Plaintiff has chosen from the Anthology to recite on April 22 is The More Loving One by W.H. Auden.
    At the hearing, Plaintiff testified that he has practiced the Auden poem twice a day for over two
    months in order to perfect the poem for the upcoming state competition. The Auden poem
    was first recited by Plaintiff on March 17, 2006 in a school competition that took place in the
    Coral Academy’s school cafeteria. The poem contains the words “hell” and “damn”, but the
    parties do not dispute that Plaintiff’s recitation of these words did not incite any disruption or
    unpleasantness from the student audience.
    Following Plaintiff’s recitation of the Auden poem on March 17, the Dean of Students,
    Defendant Cheryl Garlock, sent an email to Andrea Ladouceur, the Chair of the English
    Department, objecting to the Auden poem because it contains “inappropriate language” and
    the school intends to only present “pristine language to [its] students.” (#2, Ex. 6). At the
    hearing, Ms. Ladouceur testified that in January of 2006, prior to the commencement of the
    poetry competition, she had presented the Anthology containing the competition poems to
    Coral Academy administration, seeking their approval. Ms. Ladouceur testified that, at that
    time, the administration did not object to any of the poems.
    On April 5, 2006, Plaintiff recited his two poems, including the Auden poem, at a districtwide
    competition held in downtown Reno. The day after the competition (in which Jacob
    placed first), Defendant Steven West, Dean of Human Resources, issued a formal reprimand
    to Plaintiff’s teacher and other English teachers, because Plaintiff was not prohibited from
    reciting the Auden poem (#2, Ex. 9-11). Thereafter, on April 7, 2006, Plaintiff was informed
    by Mr. Smith, his English teacher, that he would not be able to perform the Auden poem at the
    state competition. (Dec. of Jacob Behymer-Smith, Doc. #2, Ex. 1, ¶11). On that same day,
    Plaintiff was told by Dr. West that he must choose another poem because the Auden poem
    contained “profanity.” (Id., ¶12). Thereafter, on April 10, 2006, Defendants West and Garlock,
    along with Defendant Ben Karaduman, the Executive Director of the Coral Academy, jointly
    issued a Weekly Memo to faculty and staff, in which they generally condemned the use of
    “inappropriate” language by teachers and students. (#2, Ex. 13). Specifically, teachers were
    advised to not allow students to “use poor language in public events.” Id. Plaintiff filed a Complaint and his Emergency Motion on April 11, 2006, claiming that
    the school and the administrators’ prohibition violates his First Amendment right to free
    speech.
    II. ANALYSIS
    The Ninth Circuit recently reiterated the two sets of criteria for granting preliminary
    injunctive relief. Earth Island Inst. v. United States Forest Serv., No. 05-16776, 2006 U.S. App.
    LEXIS 7319, at *19 (9th Cir. Mar. 24, 2006) (for publication). Under the traditional criteria, a
    court may grant a preliminary injunction if the moving party shows “(1) a strong likelihood of
    success on the merits, (2) the possibility of irreparable injury to [the moving party] if preliminary
    relief is not granted, (3) a balance of hardships favoring the [moving party], and (4)
    advancement of the public interest (in certain cases).” Id. (quoting Earth Island Inst. v. United
    States Forest Serv., 351 F.3d 1291, 1297 (9th Cir. 2003)). Alternatively, a court may grant a
    preliminary injunction if the moving party “demonstrates either a combination of probable
    success on the merits and the possibility of irreparable harm or that serious questions are
    raised and the balance of hardships tips sharply in his favor.” Id. at 19–20.
    A. Likelihood of Success on the Merits
    To establish a substantial likelihood of success on the merits, the moving party must
    show a fair chance of success on its claims. In re Focus Media Inc., 387 F.3d 1077 (9th Cir.
    2004). Although public school officials typically have broad discretion in the management of
    school affairs, the United States Supreme Court has stated that students do not “shed their
    constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” Tinker v.
    Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969). Three areas of
    student speech have been identified and discussed by the Supreme Court:
    (1) vulgar, lewd, obscene, and plainly offensive speech,
    (2) school-sponsored speech, and
    (3) speech that falls into neither of these categories.
    Frederick v. Morse, 439 F.3d 1114, 1121 (9th Cir. 2006). The Supreme Court enables schools
    to prevent only the sort of vulgar, obscene, lewd, or sexual speech that, especially with adolescents, “readily promotes disruption and diversion from the educational curriculum.”
    Frederick, 439 F.3d at 1122, n.44 (citing Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675
    (1986)). Plaintiff’s recitation of Auden’s poem, which includes the words “damn” and “hell,”
    does not constitute speech that can be considered vulgar, lewd, obscene, or offensive.
    Indeed, Defendants did not argue at the hearing that Plaintiff’s recitation of the Auden poem
    was offensive or disruptive in any way.
    Plaintiff’s recitation of the poem at the state competition in Carson City also cannot be
    classified as school-sponsored speech, because the competition is not “to be part of the
    educational curriculum and a regular classroom activity.” Hazelwood School Dist. v.
    Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260, 268 (1988). Rather, Plaintiff’s recitation of the Auden poem at the
    state competition in Carson city is a non-curricular activity that is only partially supervised by
    school officials. The competition is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the
    Poetry Foundation, and the poem at issue will be recited by Plaintiff off school grounds and
    on a non-school day.
    Plaintiff’s recitation of the poem falls into the third category of speech – student activity
    that can be censored or punished only if the school can show a “reasonable concern about
    the likelihood of substantial disruption to its educational mission.” Frederick, 439 F.3d at 1123.
    The Court perceives no likelihood that Plaintiff’s recitation of Auden’s poem will interfere with
    the school’s basic educational mission. Where, as in this case, there is “no finding and no
    showing that engaging in the forbidden conduct would materially and substantially interfere
    with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school, the prohibition
    cannot be sustained.” Jacobs v. Clark County School Dist., 373 F. Supp.2d 1162, 1175 (D.
    Nev.2005) (quoting Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School Dist., 393 U.S. 503,
    509 (1969). Defendants apparently consider the poem inappropriate because it contains
    language that conflicts with the school’s policies against students’ general use of profanity.
    However, when spoken in the context of a poem recited at a school-authorized, off-campus student competition and written by a nationally-recognized poet, the Court finds that the
    language sought to be censured by Defendants cannot even remotely cause a substantial
    disruption of the educational mission.
    In the total absence of any evidence indicating that the Defendants’ prohibition of
    Plaintiff’s recitation of the Auden poem is constitutionally permissible, the Court finds that
    Plaintiff has shown a high probability of success on the merits of his claim that Defendants
    have violated his First Amendment rights.
    B. Irreparable Injury, the Balance of Hardships and the Public Interest
    Because Plaintiff can show a strong likelihood of success on the merits of his First
    Amendment claim, he need only show the possibility of irreparable injury if preliminary relief
    is not granted, and that the balance of hardships tips in his favor. Furthermore, because this
    case involves a constitutional right that implicates public interest concerns, the Court must also
    determine whether the public interest favors the Plaintiff.
    In the Ninth Circuit, a party seeking preliminary injunctive relief in a First Amendment
    context “can establish irreparable injury sufficient to merit the grant of relief by demonstrating
    the existence of a colorable First Amendment claim.” See Sammartano v. First Judicial District
    Court, 303 F.3d 959, 973 (9th Cir. 2002). In fact, the United States Supreme Court has made
    it clear that “[t]he loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time,
    unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury” for purposes of granting injunctive relief. Elrod
    v. Burns, 427 U.S. 347, 373 (1976); see also S.O.C,, Inc. v. County of Clark, 152 F.3d 1136,
    1148 (9th Cir. 1988) (holding that a civil liberties organization that had demonstrated probable
    success on the merits of its First Amendment overbreadth claim had thereby also
    demonstrated irreparable harm). The fact that this case raises serious First Amendment
    questions compels a finding that there exists “the potential for irreparable injury, or that at the very least the balance of hardships tips sharply in [Plaintiff’s] favor.” Sammartano, 303 F.3d
    at 973. Accordingly, the Court finds that Plaintiff has demonstrated that he would experience
    irreparable harm if a restraining order is denied, and that this harm is much more serious than
    the hardship Defendants have shown they would endure if the restraining order were granted.
    Finally, the Court finds that because public interest concerns are always implicated
    when a constitutional right is involved, and that Plaintiff has shown a likelihood of success on
    the merits of his First Amendment claim, the public interest also warrants issuance of a
    restraining order. See Id. at 974-75 (“Courts considering requests for preliminary injunctions
    have consistently recognized the significant public interest in upholding First Amendment
    principles”).
    III. CONCLUSION
    The Court’s examination of Plaintiff’s probability of success on the merits, the balance
    of the hardships, and the public interest leads the Court to conclude that Plaintiff has a right
    to injunctive relief. Accordingly,
    IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Emergency Motion for a Temporary
    Restraining Order (#2) is hereby GRANTED.
    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, and any other agents, representatives
    and all other persons or entities acting in concert with them or on their behalf, are restrained
    and enjoined from prohibiting Jacob Behymer-Smith from reciting Auden’s poem, The More
    Loving One, at the Poetry Out Loud competition on April 22, 2006.
    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff shall post a nominal bond of one hundred
    dollars ($100.00) because the evidence indicates that Defendants will suffer little, if any,
    damage by the issuance of this temporary restraining order. See Barahona-Gomez v. Reno, 167 F.3d 1228, 1237 (9th Cir. 1999) (the requirement of a nominal bond amount was within the
    court’s discretion where the court found that any cost to the government, in the event it was
    found to have been wrongfully enjoined, would be minimal and the case involved the public
    interest).

    The temporary restraining order issued herein will be effective for ten days from today,
    up to and including April 23, 2006, unless within such time the order is extended for good
    cause shown, or unless Defendants consent to an extension.

    IT IS SO ORDERED.
    DATED this 13th day of April, 2006.
24. 

    Passerby

    November 2, 2009

    County Takes Over Charter School
    Police Remove Director From Hanover Campus
    By Daniel de Vise
    Washington Post Staff Writer
    Thursday, March 30, 2006

    A charter school in Hanover has effectively ceased to exist as an independent entity following the removal of its director earlier this month by police at the request of the Anne Arundel school board.

    Public school officials closed the Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School on Monday. The campus reopened Tuesday with a new bell schedule, three new teachers and a changed lesson plan. Two administrators imported by the school system are running the school, and its founders say they have been shut out.

    An investigative report on the ouster of Jon Omural, the school’s director, is due to be made public at week’s end and may help settle the issue of whether the school board’s actions were justified.

    In a news briefing Tuesday, Superintendent Nancy Mann and School Board President Konrad Wayson said intervention was necessary to correct mounting problems at the privately run public school. Their investigation began with a union grievance and uncovered evidence, they said, of teacher harassment, seesawing class sizes, spotty attendance by students and teachers, and unkempt facilities.

    “We had some teachers who didn’t understand that they had to be there the entire day,” said Ken Nichols, acting deputy superintendent of schools. “The part-time teacher was teaching more hours than some of the full-time teachers.”

    The unrest at Chesapeake sets back the struggling charter education movement in Maryland. Charter schools have been slow to spread in the state; a dozen of them have opened in Baltimore, two in Anne Arundel and one in Frederick County. Many of them have squabbled with the school boards that granted their charters, including the Knowledge Is Power Program, an established, successful charter-school network that opened near Annapolis last fall.

    Chesapeake’s founders allege, among other things, that the Anne Arundel school board has played favorites with KIPP, whose middle-grades operation has been allowed to function without interruption. Mann, the superintendent, contends that KIPP’s experienced leaders “knew what to do” and dealt with a handful of start-up problems “immediately.”

    Founders of the Hanover school contend the school system has been against them from the beginning. They say that the complaints against Omural are petty, and that the remaining concerns were trumped up to justify a hostile takeover.

    “We don’t have anyone in the school as of today,” said Al Aksakalli, a member of the charter school’s board. “If they want to make this work, they have to let us in.”

    At the root of the dispute, sources said, is a clash of cultures and genders among the school staff.

    Chesapeake was founded by a group that included several Turkish-American scholars, some of them professors at local universities. The director and four teachers were Turkish-American men, while the instructional leader and three remaining teachers were native-born American women.

    The three female teachers filed a grievance two months ago with the county teachers union, alleging mistreatment by Omural. They said Omural allegedly retaliated against them. Among other things, the teachers accused Omural of denying them access to the Internet and of treating them as if they were of an inferior sex. Kisha Webster, the dean of students, said Omural narrowed her duties after she spoke out at a meeting of the charter school’s board. School leaders deny that.

    Webster abruptly resigned in February, telling students in hand-delivered letters that she had “no trust and definitely no respect” for Omural and describing him as “inept.” On March 3, representatives of the teachers union met with school system officials and described deep “relationship problems” between the director and the female teachers. “The picture that was painted was fairly vivid,” Nichols said.

    On March 6, three police cars arrived at the Hanover campus to relieve Omural of command. The school board imported a retired educator as acting principal. A subsequent investigation found teachers being assigned too many students, working erratic hours or assigned administrative duties, Nichols said. The rented classroom space allegedly required three days of cleaning because it was so dirty, he said.

    “The only thing they did was buff the floors,” Aksakalli said.

    The three teachers who filed the grievance were replaced. They were “insistent that they no longer be at the school,” Nichols said.

    Founders of the charter school say the case against them doesn’t amount to much. They consider the allegations against the Turkish-American leadership by the non-Turkish teachers trivial at best, prejudiced at worst. They point out that most of the parents remain loyal, even after the disruptions of recent weeks. Eleven students have withdrawn since Omural’s removal, leaving enrollment at 108 at the middle school. Aksakalli says the school still has a waiting list. A handful of parents have complained to the school board; board members concur that most seem satisfied with the academic program.

    School founders say the school system used the union grievance as a pretext to dismantle the school, essentially locking out its independent board, canceling after-school activities and clubs and installing a new class schedule that more closely resembles that of a standard middle school.

    “We’ve asked for a meeting at least 15 times in the last two weeks. They’re not giving us an appointment,” Aksakalli said. “They’re not telling us what the charges against Jon [Omural] are. We don’t have a list; we don’t have anything.”
25. 

    Passerby

    November 2, 2009

    Guess where Jon Omural from the above article is now…

    EBRU TV, the 24-Hour Multi-Cultural Family Channel, Joins RCN in Their Signature…
    Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:22pm EDT
    EBRU TV, the 24-Hour Multi-Cultural Family Channel, Joins RCN in Their
    Signature Digital Cable Tier Programming
    Available in RCN’s New York City, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley
    and Washington, D.C. Markets on Channel 53

    SOMERSET, N.J., July 31 /PRNewswire/ — EBRU TV will be bringing its
    award-winning family oriented lifestyle and culture programming to RCN on July
    31, 2009.

    Headquartered in Somerset, NJ, EBRU TV has been broadcasting nationwide 24/7
    in English since November 2006. EBRU TV prides itself with being the first
    channel geared toward a multicultural audience, representing the diversity of
    people that make up the United States. With the addition of EBRU TV to RCN’s
    basic cable line-up, RCN has managed to tap into the third largest
    multicultural community, American viewers with Eurasian backgrounds.

    “We are excited about our partnership with RCN; we at EBRU TV believe that a
    network like ours will be an invaluable asset to RCN’s channel line-up,
    providing a unique, rich array of programming for the culturally diverse
    American audiences. EBRU TV will continue its commitment to family friendly
    programming for all viewers who want to be entertained, educated, and inspired
    by other cultures,” said EBRU TV President & CEO, Adem Kalac.

    EBRU TV has set an ambitious goal of broadcasting in full HD by the end of
    2009 and expand its reach through other major operators; a goal that will
    surely put a smile on the faces of EBRU TV’s loyal and diverse followers.

    ABOUT EBRU TV
    EBRU TV is a new face in broadcast television. The 24-hour channel’s
    commitment to original programming promises rapid growth into new television
    markets including cable television, IP TV, and additional satellite carriers.
    From news to science, to its documentaries and children’s programming, EBRU TV
    offers a wide range of entertaining shows for today’s families. For more
    information on EBRU TV, visit: http://www.ebru.tv or call 732.560.0800.

    ABOUT RCN CORPORATION
    RCN is a competitive broadband services provider delivering all-digital and
    high definition video, high-speed internet and premium voice services to
    residential and small-medium business customers under the brand names of RCN
    and RCN Business Services, respectively. RCN’s primary service areas include
    Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley (PA), New York City, Boston and
    Chicago.
    Contact: Jon Omural
    VP, Business Development & HR
    Tel: (732) 560 – 0800 Xt. 231
    Email: [email protected]

    SOURCE EBRU TV

    Jon Omural, VP, Business Development & HR, +1-732-560-0800, ext. 231,
    [email protected]
26. 

    Fahrettin Altay Pasha

    November 3, 2009

    The FG CULT own most of the newspapers and channels in Turkey. Anything anybody does or says which is negative about this movement is bullied, ridiculed and lied about. Newspapers such as TARAF, ZAMAN, TV Stations such as Samanyolu, Kanal 7 all publicise how Gulen and his movement are making this world a better place to live. Its all a lie! Dont forget people, Gulen came to the US in the mid 90’s with nothing. The CIA openned up its funding and gave Gulen anything he wanted. Within 10 years, Gulen’s empire has an annual income of circa 20 billion USD… This is mainly through his schools and publishing and broadcasting empire. His papers and tv’s are spending alot of resources these days broadcasting how seculism is not the true path and the tru path is that of Sharia.
    Gulens main paper’s Taraf and Zaman sell in Turkey (these are also exporeted and printed around the world) for less than the price of unrefined paper! Work that out! This is an example of some of the beleifs Gulen has… (Try searching for him on Utube.) He has a tender to cry and make his audience feel sorry and they pretty much are in with Gulen, hook, line and sinker.
    Gulen is known for saying “To prove them wrong, you need to do anything within your power, that includes bribery and if required spend 1 billion in order to have them pay a fine of 1 million. The point is have them be lowered in the peoples eyes”
    This man is in the brink of bringing Turkey to its knees. He is solely behind everyhitng negative in Turkey today. For example, the ERGENEKON case is that of Gulens planning (backed by CIA) the aim is to weaken the Turkish Armed Forces.
    Speak to your congressmen, why is this man allowed to stay in the US? He has no citizenship. He should be asked to leave.
    Do some searching on the web, I know of many people (have a personal friend) who was deep with these people. They finally broke free and all they can tell you is how dangerous these people are.
27. 

    linguistprof

    November 5, 2009

    In response to Fannaturk,
    You seem to have plenty of threats and foul language and innuendos, but no proof. Why can’t you present anything of substance which backs up your bias? If Gulen and his gang of criminals are so benign and trying to make the world a better place, where is the proof? Everything that I see backs up my belief that they (and you) are nothing more than thugs who try to intimidate those around them, and are trying to force Sharia on those who want nothing of it. Their schools are just places of indoctrination and should be banned, as should the entire Gulen network, they are dangerous, even more so because they are so insidious. I would rather see my enemy, than have him lurking around in the shadows, or worse yet, lying and putting himself off as a benevolent being with my best interests at heart. So in conclusion, why don’t you either put forth some “honest” evidence, or shut up!
28. 

    Anonymous

    November 17, 2009

    umm FYI!
    if you want to send your child here, YOU CAN, if you don’t then don’t .
    obviously these kids are doing goog so they are here, you are some fagg, nigga.
    u dont’ know what ur talking about, if u don’t wanna send them then don’t!
    we don’t need youu! we have lots of ppl anywho right?!
29. 

    ANONYMOUS

    November 25, 2009

    you are just a redneck person. Knows nothing.
30. 

    abrams

    November 25, 2009

    here are the facts:

    1 Based on the statewide and nationwide test scores ,and university entreance exams these schools are much more succesful then others.
    2 They bring medals to their schools and states from national science olimpiads.
    3 if you read one of fethullah gulen`s books and didnt like him .you dont have be be his follower.
    4 do they have a secret agenda. NO.they have an open agenda,who is hiding it? that is ,your child is going be more tolerant and open minded to Turkish people and language and Muslims after she or he graduates.
    5 if these schools were not legitimate in any ways , over 100 countries in the world would not let them open schools in their nations.
31. 

    Soze

    December 8, 2009

    It is so clear that GULEN really disturbed you at last. GULEN and his belongings are fired ( actually he escaped to US) from TURKEY and he is now all over the world like a virus.
    You people have no idea who is he?
    Who protects him and why.
    He is all a free man now according to the law makers in TURKEY, but he is still wants to live in US. He knows how to play the game.
    Success… scores….is that all you ask for your kids?
    I know some schools in Rize / TURKEY whose dos not pray 5 times a day will be punished by hunger. They do not let these students to eat in cafeteria.
    He is not a good man.. you will know as you read or search more about him.. just be careful about your kids.
32. 

    skoch

    December 12, 2009

    >”linguistprof COMMENTED ON THIS POST Date August 30, 2009 at 07:53.

    >>>I had kids at the school listed in Utah, and I saw many things there that concerned me. Please go >>>to the Salt Lake Tribune web site, look up the article Utah Charter schools Turkey ties draw >>>scrutiny. These schools are all over the place and I would like to see some answers to these >>>questions, about the funding, financial issues, and the AGENDA! I am trying to start a Blog site >>>where concerned parents and citizens can have a forum devoted to this topic. Please e-mail me at >>>[email protected] if you have any information about this, or would like to talk to me >>>about my experiences with the Gulen Movement.”

    -I do not believe him that he/she had kids at these schools! if true why didnt he go to complain to US gov’t? or even to Consulate of Turkish republic? His problem is with Gulen movement. So he’s trying to hoodwink people in US. If these schools are bad US gov’t wouldn’t let a foreign school to expand itself.
33. 

    Professor

    December 13, 2009

    To SOZE:

    What in the hell schools in Rize has to do with Gulen’s schools?
    In a strictly secular country as Turkey can you name the schools claim to know where the unpraying students are punished by hunger?
    If Gulen’s presence is bothering you but what makes you think you are welcomed here?
    Finally, isn’t a shame that Rize has produced an ignorant-liar named Soze?
34. 

    Gulen Files

    January 21, 2010

    Hidden Agenda?
    Parents raise concerns that a Tucson charter school has ties to a Turkish nationalist movement
    by Tim Vanderpool

    Tim Vanderpool
    Sonoran Science Academy.
    No one can knock the numbers. In recent years, students at Tucson’s Sonoran Science Academy have secured stellar scores in math, science and other categories. The academy has earned glowing mentions in national magazines such as U.S. News and World Report, and in 2009, was deemed Charter School of the Year by the Arizona Charter School Association.

    But some parents of children who attend the academy on West Sunset Road believe it harbors goals reaching far beyond academia. They suspect the Sonoran Academy of being part of a confederation of learning institutions secretly linked to, and advancing, the cause of Turkish scholar and Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen.

    While most of those parents have resisted coming forward, fearing reprisal from an organization they say is known to target critics, one parent did agree to speak to the Weekly if we pledged to keep her identity hidden. The parent says she represents others at the academy who’ve become suspicious about the striking similarities of its educational programs to those of other schools around the United States which are operated by Turkish-born staff members.

    She says teachers and administers freely circulate among these schools. At the same time, says the parent, the Sonoran Academy seems constantly to be bringing Turkish educators into the United States, and subjecting students to substitute teachers while the teachers await work visas.

    According to this parent, all of these ties may lead covertly back to the Gülen movement, named for the scholar, who founded a network of schools around the world and now lives in exile in Pennsylvania. She says several Sonoran Academy parents believe the school has a hidden agenda to promote Gülen’s brand of Turkish nationalism, advance sympathy for that country’s political goals such as winning acceptance into the European Union, and discourage official acknowledgement of Turkey’s genocide against the Armenians during World War I.

    “We found one document, in Turkish, that talks about the purpose of these charter schools,” says the parent. “They refer to them very explicitly as schools (belonging) to their movement. They’re calculating, and they say if they can have something like 600 schools, then every year, they can produce 120,000 sympathizers for Turkey.

    “I sent my kids to this school because I wanted them to meet regular Muslims and to see them as ordinary people,” she says. “But when I find that my kids are to be turned into genocide-deniers, that’s very disturbing to me.”

    Fatih Karatas is principal of the academy’s middle school. He calls such claims ridiculous.

    “We don’t have any kind of connections or any kind of relations with that movement or group. A public school can not be affiliated in any way with other institutions or groups because of the regulations, because of the charters.”

    He also says his school has a diverse staff, native to countries ranging from Turkey to Mexico, which he considers a benefit. “But we’re not promoting a certain ideology. … These are defamatory allegations that are not based on any proof or evidence.”

    Still, the Sonoran Academy isn’t the first Turkish-American-run charter school in United States to be accused of links to Gülen. Parents at the Beehive Science and Technology Academy in Holladay, Utah, have also raised concerns that their school is linked to this movement. And according The Salt Lake Tribune, one Beehive teacher was fired when his lesson plan about World War II and the Holocaust prompted a discussion in which the school’s principal purportedly questioned that genocide.

    Although Utah’s State Charter School Board cleared Beehive of deliberately promoting Gülen beliefs, lawmakers there have continued to probe its finances. The school-board investigation revealed that Beehive received loans from administrators at other Turkish-American schools, and from executives of the Accord Institute, a California-based organization with a Turkish-American staff. Accord provides educational consulting services and develops education models for programs for schools including Tucson’s Sonoran Academy. But Karatas, calls the institute a “private organization,” and says he’s unaware of any ties between Accord and Gülen.

    Other connections raise more questions. They include the Pacifica Institute, which operates the “Turkish Olympiads,” in which Sonoran Academy students are encouraged to participate. The Olympiad contests range from essay writing and singing to poetry composition. According to its Web site, the institute was formed by Turkish-Americans in California with a mission of promoting cross-cultural awareness.

    In December, the Pacifica Institute co-hosted a Gülen conference with the University of Southern California, and actively promotes Gülen beliefs on its Web site.

    Indeed, the Gülen movement’s own Web site seems to lay the groundwork for claims made by the Tucson parent. It discusses the group’s rapidly expanding, worldwide educational facilities which have “made Gülen’s network the most influential Turkish-Islamic movement both in Turkey and abroad. … In the field of education, this part of the identity is however not stressed and teachers from outside the (movement) work at these schools as well. They may be non-Muslims and in many cases the pupils have never heard of Fethullah Gülen.”

    The Weekly was provided with a list of Turkish staff members that have rotated through various schools and the Accord Institute—another strategy promoted by the Gülen Web site.

    Of course, all of this could be purely coincidental. But the Tucson mother says many parents feel increasingly betrayed by what they consider the Sonoran Academy’s ongoing secrecy.

    “Other parents say, ‘I could almost be OK with this if they were out in the open about it.’ But the (school) has done such a phenomenal job of keeping this a secret.”

    However, Karatas suggests those who make such claims are flirting with trouble.

    “I’m hoping that they know that these are defamatory allegations which may put them in trouble later on. These are excelling schools. … I hope they are aware of what they’re doing.”
35. 

    gulensafraud

    February 2, 2010

    I still don’t understand why Americans, especially parents with students attending charter schools, funded both at the federal and state levels, have to fear reprisal from the Turkish mob that “operates” Gulen’s infested charter schools that has spread over the United States.

    And at what point, and why — did our government (that would be the United States government) allow these mobsters to run amuck, perpetrating widespread and ongoing immigration fraud, violating EEOC discriminatory laws, and money-laundering?

    Karatas states “They (the Americans that want the truth) are flirting with trouble,” well guess what buddy, so are you and the rest of your bunch that are violating a multitude of American laws. You see my Turkish friend, we have the evidence (as does our government) and all of your threats and retaliatory actions are nothing more than a smokescreen that you and your cronies are attempting to hide behind. You guys have had a long run, jogging ahead of the law…but you are far from the finish line.

    Funny thing about us Americans, we really don’t like people that come to our country and abuse the system, take advantage of our children (by means of school funding), and commit crimes, while literally thumbing their noses at us.

    Here’s my advice, pure and simple. Attend all of the school Board Meetings. Of course, 99% if not 100% of the Board members will be Turkish (or married to one), so they will have to “perform” in front of the foreigners (that would the Americans), and then have to hold a “second” board meeting in private (which is there practice by the way — should an American show up). And better yet, make sure that some of your elected state and federal officials go along and see what is on the agenda. Most likely your state requires a sponsoring country to oversee the charter schools, so make sure that they are diligently attending meetings and auditing the school records as required.

    But you will never really get to see the really good stuff — (like the second set of books they keep on their business managers’ flash drives — the books that track the Tuzuk money). We are saving that for the “finish line.”

    Here’s the deal — the United States belongs to us — not them. If they cannot follow our laws and rules, then go back to Turkey. And by the way –take Gulen back with you.
36. 

    turkish

    February 7, 2010

    this school are good for american kids and you dont need to worry about this schools…there are many schools like this around the world thousands graduates and you cant find any radical islam movement or ideolgoy or movement from this guyss.. many radical islamist guys dont want this school in their lands since they think this schools bring pro western ideology to their lands… how come they can undermine western society?they teach english in the schools ,science etc… can you imagine a school in afhganistan teaching sciens and math in english with the same quality in a US school? you think cia would not know the threat if they had a hidden agenda? open your hearts and eyes to this schools and send ur kids freely to those schools ,,,this will be the best investment for your kids….
37. 

    gulensafraud

    February 10, 2010

    Turkish,

    It will be the best investment for the Turkish mafia running the schools because for every kid they get to go to their school(s) they can steal more money from the government funding (money that is supposed to be going towards education, not the Tuzuk). It will also be more money in their pockets to pay for the immigration fees and Master’s degrees for the HIB visa holders (of whom the majority are Turkish men). And

    Give me a break, these schools are not here to educate our kids, if they were — they would not have so many Turkish men teaching classes who can barely speak English. How does that benefit our children when they cannot understand the teacher? Further, if there main goal is to offer a well rounded education, why is it that only Turkish men run the schools?

    Lastly, call it what you want — Gulen’s movement is as equally — if not more– dangerous as any “radical islam movement,” because it is insidious, creeping throughout the United States like a fungus, slow and deadly.
38. 

    Sonoran Science Academy Principal full of shit!!

    March 4, 2010

    On behalf of Sonoran Science Academy-Tucson, we write this letter to formally respond to the Tucson Weekly article, published on Dec. 31, under the title of “Hidden Agenda? Parents Raise Concerns That a Tucson Charter School Has Ties to a Turkish Nationalist Movement.” We hope that you will consider printing this letter, to give your readers the opportunity to draw their own conclusions about the biased and one-sided “investigation” that led to the article. We also invite Tucson Weekly to visit our campus to get a more accurate picture of SSA, which is a transparent, public institution open to any questions or inquiries by public media officials. SSA highly respects the freedom of speech and expression.
    The article by Tim Vanderpool raised questions about possible links between Sonoran Science Academy-Tucson (a public K-12 charter school) and a “Turkish nationalist movement.” The article was based on comments and allegations by a third party who apparently spoke to Mr. Vanderpool on the basis of anonymity. Mr. Vanderpool contacted Mr. Karatas, the principal, by phone to ask a few questions regarding the matter. Mr. Karatas kindly welcomed the inquiry. On at least three occasions during this call, Mr. Karatas requested that Mr. Vanderpool visit the school. Mr. Vanderpool stated that he was unable to visit and insisted on a telephone interview.
    In the article, numerous quotes by Mr. Karatas were taken out of context. It sounded as if the school principal was “threatening the parents,” which clearly was not the case. Mr. Karatas has great respect for the fundamental constitutional right of every individual to express him/herself and would never threaten a student, parent or staff member. To our regret and disappointment, Mr. Karatas’ statements were tailored to fit the story, rather than attempting to show his authentic answers (and message) to the questions being raised.
    The history and foundation of SSA-Tucson goes back to three visionary Tucson-based Turkish scientists (a prominent engineer at Texas Instruments, highly acclaimed heart surgeon in Tucson Medical Center and a researcher at the College of Optical Sciences at the UA) who saw an immediate need for quality math and science education in Tucson. These three visionaries established SSA-Tucson as a charter school that would focus on math, science and technology while providing a solid foundation in liberal arts education. SSA-Tucson has never had, and does not currently have, any links to any religious or nationalist movements. SSA is nationally acclaimed as a model school by US News and World Report, Newsweek and the American Mathematics Association. Most recently, SSA-Tucson was honored to be Arizona’s Charter School of the Year.
    SSA takes pride in its transparency and dedication to serving the community. We were deeply saddened by the blatantly one-sided story written by Mr. Vanderpool and published by the Tucson Weekly.
    Fatih Karatas
    Principal, Sonoran Science Academy-Tucson

    ” We also invite Tucson Weekly to visit our campus to get a more accurate picture of SSA, which is a transparent, public institution open to any questions or inquiries by public media officials. SSA highly respects the freedom of speech and expression” And never ever threatened a parent? or a student? His VP sure did.

    Now read my letter given by the schools attorney. To threaten me for telling the truth?

    Bill Thacker
    Re: Sonoran Science Academy
    Dear Mr. Thacker
    As you are aware, this firm represents Daisy Education Corporation dba
    Sonoran Science Academy (“SSA”). SSA has been aware for several months
    that you are posting defamatory, insulting and inflammatory comments
    about SSA on craigslist. These posts are resulting in a significant
    disruption of the SSA community. Furthermore SSA may be suffering
    potential financial damages as a result of the false statements you are
    circulating in the online community.

    SSA responded numerous times to your complaints and concerns, responded
    to the Arizona State Board of Charter Schools and has allowed you to
    continue making defamatory comments on the internet for several months.
    Now it must stop.

    If you do not immediately cease posting SSA will pursue litigation against you, including an injunction to prohibit further publication of defamatory statements and a lawsuit for damages. SSA has been tracking and collecting evidence of your defamatory
    statements. Including copies of your posts on craigslist and will
    utilize this evidence in a lawsuit against you if necessary.

    Very Truly Yours,

    Heather K. Gaines

    Dear Ms. Gaines,

    Thank you for your letter dated June 29. I have reviewed it and would
    make these points.

    1. The “slap suit” is not a new idea but seems like a radical step for
    a charter school. That school to sue a parent who had a poor experience
    at Sonoran Science would appear to have a chilling effect on the
    aforementioned school’s ability to attract new students. Is it truly in
    the best interest of your client to have such a reputation?

    2. For a school filing a slap suit on a working-class single dad would
    be such a novelty that it would risk lending media credibility and a
    much larger platform for me to make my case. That charges would be
    hashed and rehashed and whatever harm done on Craig’s List would be
    magnified. And, as you are aware, gaining prior restraint against the
    media is an extremely high bar.

    3. I sold plasma to buy my daughter lunch and Sonoran Science staff
    threw it away, refusing to give it to her. That’s pretty compelling.

    4. Should you pursue legal action, your firm would make money off
    billable hours but every dime spent on pursuing a father struggling
    through the current economic challenges is a dime not spent teaching
    children. Is this the proper role of state and donation money that is
    supposed to be spent on children?

    5. How much are you willing to turn over during discovery? You are
    claiming that I am wrong in my assertions against Sonoran Science. I
    would then have the right to prove I’m not wrong. I’m not a lawyer
    (public school advocates may take an interest but let’s assume they
    don’t) and you can beat me back. But that’s more scut work for you,
    more money coming out of class rooms and more risk of media attention.

    6. All I want is an apology for: a) Not informing me of an
    investigation concerning my daughter’s accusation that a teacher had
    acted sexually inappropriately toward her; b) Forcing me no end of
    headache when both myself and doctors repeatedly provided records of
    immunization records Sonoran Science never seemed to get as they
    threatened to keep my daughter from class. Felt like harassment; and c)
    Throwing away a sandwich I bought with, literally, blood money. D) When
    informing the principal of the school he ignored my concerns and
    threatened me with a lawsuit. An apology, one for me and one to my
    daughter.

    I find it bizarre that you would threaten me with legal action for
    criticizing a public institution on a Web Site not typically covered by
    libel rules. I currently earn $12 an hour. I rent. I even rent my
    furniture. I have a car payment. I am a student. I send money to my
    ex-wife for my daughter. How much cash do you think you can get from
    me? Moreover, how many parents will send their children to a school
    that sues unhappy “customers”? They are a business.
    Food for thought.
    Regards,
    Bill M. Thacker
39. 

    M

    March 31, 2010

    I believe that none of above statements are true. I doubt that owners of the previous comments have any kids in those schools. They probably haven’t met someone from the Gulen movement either. !!!
    Please visit following link ,in order to get accurate information about Mr. Gulen and the Gulen movement
    http://www.fethullah-gulen.org
40. 

    M

    March 31, 2010

    Fethullah Gulen is the honorary president of the Rumi Forum, located in Washington DC
    http://rumiforum.org/about/honorary-president-fethullah-gulen.html
41. 

    Private

    April 6, 2010

    Gulen is a pure evil, poisoning our youth here in US and he lives here in US. I do not understand why we keep a Turkish criminal muslim extremist in our society, by the way he lives here in US.

    WARE UP AMERICA!!!!!
42. 

    Private

    April 6, 2010

    Ataturk was a great general; today his fundamentals still guides many world leaders. He was the first frontier against Muslim extremism, first time in western civilization cihad was declared against him, and he rightfully got rid of most Muslim extremists from Turkey in early 1900s, and since then Muslim extremist kept their grudges to kill his Fundamentals.
    The biggest Muslim extremist against Ataturk, Fetullah Gulen was dismissed (kicked out) from Turkey and this illegal extremist livers here in USA among us and poisoning young American youth which is paid from our tax dollars.
43. 

    H

    April 7, 2010

    Those of you who want to get more information about the Gulen Inspired Schools and Fethullah Gulen can visit the following links;
    Fethullah Gulen Schools
    Fethullah Gulen
44. 

    salim seven

    April 12, 2010

    then correct your education system so that precious fax dollars of yours does not flow to Turkish Teacher.
45. 

    Doesn’t Matter

    May 10, 2010

    I won’t say which city, because I could be jumping ahead and assuming too much, but I wanted to vent. My observation with the staff makes me feel that perhaps I shouldn’t enroll my son. It’s rare I receive eye contact while speaking to those in “higher positions,” which to me is a sign of dishonesty/disrespect. It doesn’t bother me they’re from Turkey. I’m open to any and all nationalities. The thorn in my side is that I’m getting the run around with a definite answer as to IF my son can still be enrolled (long story as to why). Bottom line is, everyone seems nice, but that doesn’t mean their smiles aren’t masking behavior that would make all parents go, “Hmmmm.” The rudeness of the principal in how he won’t respond to my e-mails floor me! He acted genuine when he said he’ll help with my situation in determining if my child should be a grade or two grades below what his peers are, but of course I should have known better. Sounded too good to be true. And when I call that location, the staff who answers either puts me on eternal hold so that I have to call back or I am transferred to the wrong person or, or, or! I’ve been dealing with this since I first filled out their application many months ago! I’m not expecting red carpet treatment, but geeez, a little respect would be nice. After stumbling across this website, I’ve made up my mind that I won’t even bother with this school.
46. 

    EducationTruth

    May 15, 2010

    The foreign teachers that are brought into the USA by the Gulen Movement under a HB-1 Visa are suspicous. No one has checked out their credentials. Gulen himself only has a 12 grade formal education but has advanced education in Islamic Ideology.
    My biggest concern is the fabricated test scores, Gulen owns Zaman, ERDU TV and countless other media groups that spin a postiive Public Relations on how Gulen is good for American Schools. But no audit team has ever looked at his endless business foundations that laundry money for the many layers of schools throughout the USA. A few of the schools are under scrunity and a few have closed: Beehive Academy (UT) and Chesapeake Academy( MD)
    if Gulen is to promote interfaith dialogue why doesn’t he hire teachers from oversea countries that are Buddhists, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, B’hai (Japan, China, Russian, Israel and Persia) why control what the children are learning and censor who is teaching it. Try some transparency and just admitt that you are a Islamic Turkish Group that has been contracted via outsourcing to manage American Charter Schools. We become suspect when you hide your agenda then we go to the school websites and see the American children are being taught Turkish language, songs, dance being indoctrinated into the Turkish lifestyle with food and trips to Turkey it is all very strange and it goes much deeper than Gulen himself.
47. 

    whitenight

    June 6, 2010

    by reading comments you may never know who they are. is he a benovolent man or not? there are many guys commenting here with no particular evidence. jesus Christ was a prophet and naturally a good person but he was crucuified,it is illogical to expect everyone to love him. if you have sources for your evidences put them forward otherwise what you write is………………..
48. 

    M.Erbil

    June 8, 2010

    Whitenight– Oh there is evidence plenty of it – expecially money laundering from the numerous foundations and institutes that Gulen owns to fund the schools and the “dog and ‘pony” shows of American kids singing, dancing and speaking in Turkish at the Turkish Olympaid that Gulen pays for in the USA and Turkey. Here is my response to an earlier posting about someone claiming to “know” who is attacking Gulen.
    Fatih;
    Really, who would want to “attack” Gulen, after all he has accumulated much wealth and power? Up to $52 Billion in Media, healthcare, Education, Corporatons, foundations, Banks (surprised?) and Insurance companies.
    Gulen owns the media (Zaman, ERBU TV) and controls what is written about him, his influence goes up to Turkey’s Government (Erdogan) and high up in American Politics. The strongests schools are Texas, Arizona, and Ohio where Gulen has managed to jockey Turkey’s lucrative Defense Contracts with Raytheon, Boeing, Dell et al who are also large supporters of Gulen’s movement via his many foundations. In Texas it is Cosmos Foundation—->Raindrop Turkish Inst——–> Harmony Schools the 90+ schools all have multi layers of foundations and Institutes that funnel money in and launder it out.
    Ex teachers, parents of Ex Students and journalists are speaking up. I am Turkish American and I have a problem with Tax dollars contributing to the Turkish agenda, it is wrong. We should be opening private schools. Not expecting American Taxpayers to fund our Turkish Olympaids, I can teach my own kids Turkish language, singing and dancing. I don’t need a cult like Gulen.
    So who do you think is behind this what we Turks call “Conspiracy Theory” here are some guesses: CIA, FBI, Congress, RUMI Forum maybe all of them?
    Perhaps Ex- FBI Turkish translator Sibel Edmonds was right about money corruption from Turkey. That is why Sibel was fired for being a whistle blower. Keep calling it a “conspiracy theory” lets see what happens when Gulen falls out of favor with the USA.
49. 

    Josephhh

    June 14, 2010

    These schools are once in a lifetime chance for you, ppl. Send your lovely children to these schools. This will be one of the best things you will have done both for you and your children. And, do not believe those liars and haters cursing on this movement. These guys are what this old earth needs.
50. 

    Anonymous

    June 14, 2010

    These schools are a big chance for you, ppl. Send your lovely children to these schools. This will be one of the best things for both you and your children. Maybe the best. And, don’t believe in those liars and haters cursing on Gulen movement. These guys are what this old earth needs.
51. 

    Anonymous

    June 14, 2010

    These schools are a big chance for you, ppl. Send your lovely children to these schools. This will be one of the best things for both you and your children. Maybe the best. And, don’t believe in those liars and haters cursing on Gulen movement.
52. 

    concerned in tx

    June 15, 2010

    dear m.erbil,
    http://www.wtxpatriots.org has some interesting info. please check it out.
    thank you
53. 

    Fethullah Gulen

    July 1, 2010

    Fethullah Gülen is an authoritative mainstream Turkish Muslim scholar, thinker, author, poet, opinion leader and educational activist who supports interfaith and intercultural dialogue, science, democracy and spirituality and opposes violence and turning religion into a political ideology. Fethullah Gülen promotes cooperation of civilizations toward a peaceful world, as opposed to a clash:

    “Be so tolerant that your bosom becomes wide like the ocean. Become inspired with faith and love of human beings. Let there be no troubled souls to whom you do not offer a hand and about whom you remain unconcerned.” (Fethullah Gülen, Criteria or Lights of the Way. London: Truestar.)

    Please visit the following links to get more information about Fethullah Gulen.
    Fethullah Gulen
    Fethullah Gulen Blog
54. 

    Fethullah Gulen

    July 1, 2010

    Gulen movement participants have founded a number of institutions across the world which promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue activities. During the 1990s he began to advocate interreligious tolerance and dialogue. He personally met with leaders of other religions, including Pope John Paul II, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos, and Israeli Sephardic Head Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron.

    Please visit the following links to get more information about Fethullah Gulen.
    Gulen Movement
    Fethullah Gulen
55. 

    Fethullah Gulen

    August 3, 2010

    Fethullah Gülen is an authoritative mainstream Turkish Muslim scholar, thinker, author, poet, opinion leader and educational activist who supports interfaith and intercultural dialogue, science, democracy and spirituality and opposes violence and turning religion into a political ideology. Fethullah Gülen promotes cooperation of civilizations toward a peaceful world, as opposed to a clash:

    “Be so tolerant that your bosom becomes wide like the ocean. Become inspired with faith and love of human beings. Let there be no troubled souls to whom you do not offer a hand and about whom you remain unconcerned.” (Fethullah Gülen, Criteria or Lights of the Way. London: Truestar.)

    Please visit the following links to get more information about Fethullah Gulen.

    Fethullah Gulen
56. 

    its not important

    August 9, 2010

    this site is related with turkish mi
    litary so do not belive in them
57. 

    Fatih

    August 29, 2010

    Are you kidding?? F. Gulen is a common crimminal who fled his beloved to avoid an arrest warrent. The AKP just rounded up 194 members of the Gulen Movement, and from your posts here (you should know better than I do) that you are openly admitting that these schools are part of Gulens movenment. Er, Agenda. Please read charterschoolwatchdog.com and Charterschoolscandels.com. The jig is up. It is just a matter of time before your Pashas who run these charters schools go under…..
58. 

    Fatih

    August 29, 2010

    Are you kidding?? F. Gulen is a common crimminal who fled his beloved Tukey to avoid an arrest warrent. The AKP just rounded up 194 members of the Gulen Movement, and from your posts here (you should know better than I do) that you are openly admitting that these schools are part of Gulens movenment. Er, Agenda. Please read charterschoolwatchdog.com and Charterschoolscandels.com. The jig is up. It is just a matter of time before your Pashas who run these charters schools go under…..
59. 

    Yo

    September 9, 2010

    I see a bunch of “Erbil”s on blogs these days. Is it a common turkish name, or is it just a coincidence that “all of you” are all over the internet. Very suspicious. Btw, your article is total BS, as almost all of your crap on this site.
60. 

    Gulen

    October 4, 2010

    Some say they are the best schools around,
    and some say they can’t be that good without support from global powers.
    To get more facts about Gulen Inspired Schools, visit the following links:
    Gulen Schools
    Gulen Schools
61. 

    Gulen Blog

    March 22, 2011

    Fethullah Gulen is the honorary president of the Rumi Forum.
62. Circumstantial Evidences On Fethullah Gulen « Wading Across

    June 4, 2011

    […] Turkish Forum […]
63. 

    Icelmustafa

    October 28, 2011

    This is so obvious made by Ergenekon.It’s a criminal organization.They don’t have any sense of human been at all.