COMPLAINT TO TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY – COSMOS FOUNDATION, INC. D/B/A HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
This brief in support of the complaint against Cosmos Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Harmony Public Schools, (collectively “Harmony”) is submitted to the Texas Education Agency (“TEA”) with a request for a comprehensive investigation and sanctions as appropriate. Harmony operates seven open-enrollment charter school districts that serve a total of forty-six campuses in Texas. Harmony is required by both state and federal law to use non-discriminatory employment practices and ensure the same of their vendors and subcontractors; ensure that its schools are open to all students; select vendors using open and competitive bidding processes; prohibit transactions that pose conflicts of interest and self-dealing; and to use public funds solely to support the public function of education. Though Harmony has been the subject of federal and state investigations in the last five years, each has been limited in scope and none has focused on Harmony’s employment, procurement, or operational practices. We therefore urge the TEA to conduct a comprehensive investigation of Harmony to ensure that 1) its employment practices are consistent with federal law; 2) its procurement and operational practices are consistent with state and federal law regarding competitive selection and conflicts of interest; and 3) its past legal violations in the areas of Special Education, English-Language Learners, and use of federal funds have been rectified.
The full complaint is available for download below:
