Since its opening two years ago, Prime Prep, a charter school founded by NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has been no stranger to controversy and now the state of Texas may be moving to shut down the institution permanently for the misuse of federal school lunch funds.
Following an eight-month investigation by Texas Education Agency officials, it was announced Tuesday that TEA commissioner Michael Williams is moving to revoke Prime Prep’s charter. The school has until the end of this month to appeal, but News 8 has learned that the revocation decision will be difficult — if not impossible — to reverse.
According to the state, 67 percent of Prime Prep’s students are eligible for free or reduced-price food programs — neither of which are available at the school now because of mismanagement. The state says $45,000 is owed back to taxpayers “due to the fact that no documentation was provided on the review date to support that the claimed reimbursable meals were served for the months of September, October and November 2013.”
Shortly after Prime Prep’s opening accusations swirled about improper transfers by student athletes and then the use of the school’s finances began, many of which were linked to CEO and co-founder D.L. Wallace. The NCAA is also investigating if the school’s academic curriculum is in line with their requirements.
Sanders took to Twitter to address the latest problems linked to the school he was integral in starting.
My former Co-Founder DL Wallace was a Crook and Heartless and we are still suffering from his Devilish ways. TEA informed PrimePrep.
— DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) July 15, 2014
Years of existence. In no form or fashion has me or my administration done any wrong regarding feeding or educating our students. TRUTH
— DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) July 15, 2014
I will pay the 45,000 myself to right DL Wallace wrong to the state if they will accept it. Don’t punish our kids for this Fool. Truth
— DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) July 15, 2014
Deion says he’s confident everything will be straightened out before the upcoming school year.