Feb 15 2011
Following the ed money
Another piece to consider when reviewing the details of how and why the education program offered this year from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna – a plan now being retooled – was submitted for prime time.
Often, it helps to check the personal ties and connections – who is being listened to, who is working with and talking with whom.
Consider this, a timeline developed by Boise writer Grove Koger:
1993 Thomas J. Wilford becomes President of Alscott
1995-2003 Wilford President of J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation
1999 VA-based K12 founded by former U.S. Secretary of Ed. Bill Bennett
1999-2001 Wilford a Director of Albertson’s Inc.
2002 Idaho Virtual Academy created in cooperation with K12Nov Wilford becomes a Director of K12
2003 Wilford becomes CEO of J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation
2004 Wilford becomes a Director of IDACORP
Wilford becomes a Director of Idaho Power, an IDACORP subsidiary
2005 J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation give grants to several charter schools, including Idaho Virtual Academy
2006 08/10 Maryland-based Connections Academy contributes $500 to Luna’s campaign
09/29 K12 donates $5,000 to Luna’s campaign
12/19 K12 donates $891.29 to help retire Luna’s Primary ’06 debt
12/19 K12 donates $4108.71 toward Luna’s Primary 2010 fund
2007 Wilford’s total compensation from K12 for 2007: $354
2008 Wilford’s total compensation from K12 for 2008: $28,578
2009 Wilford’s total compensation from K12 for 2009: $55,829
2010 04/30 TN-based Education Networks of America contributes $1,000 to Luna’s Campaign
05/11 PA-based Apangea Learning donates $1,000 to Luna’s campaign07/02 Education Networks of America contributes $1,500 to Luna’s campaign
07/26 Wilford sells 5,000 shares of K12 stock; retains at least 3,041 shares Wilford donates $250 to Luna’s campaign
09/20 Apangea Learning donates $2,500 to Luna’s campaign
09/28 AZ-based Apollo Group donates $2,500 to Luna’s campaign
10/20 K12, whose curriculum is used by the Idaho Virtual Academy (largest Idaho online public charter school), donates $25,000 to Idahoans for Choice in Education. Almost immediately Idahoans for Choice gives $25,000 to Arizona firm for broadcast advertising and production in an independent campaign supporting Luna’s re-election
12/16 Wilford ceases to be a Director of K12; not clear whether he is still a stockholder. Wilford’s total compensation from K12 for 2010: $107,114
2011 01/29 J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation takes out ad in Idaho Statesman supporting Tom Luna’s education plan
When the Luna-Otter plan emerged seemingly out of nowhere a month ago, in other words, it didn’t really emerge out of nowhere.
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Thus explaining the apparently inexplicable statement from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation.
Thanks for filling in a large piece of the puzzle, Randy.
[...] Following the ed money [...]
Alscott inc. is Joe Scott and his kids’ investment company. Look at the board of directors for the Albertson Foundation and you will see that it is Joe, his mother, his father, and his three kids. Then look at Securities Information’s website and search shareholders of K12 Inc. You will see that the Joe Scott family stands to make a lot of money if K12 Inc. stock move up even a little bit. Joe and Kathryn Alberson have to be spinning in their graves seeing what their grandson is doing with their foundation.
We need sources for this information and more clarity. Please post immediately. These could be game changers!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Coopmike48, Kenneth Libby and IdahoEducationAssoc , IdahoEducationAssoc . IdahoEducationAssoc said: IBCEE likes #lunaplan, but @TomLuna money trail has diminished what biz groups have to say. http://bit.ly/etYLmK just scrapes surface. [...]
[...] in the case of Luna’s relationship with emperor Vandersloot. As for the kickback part, several people have followed the money . About the only thing we don’t have in Idaho to complete the analogy; bananas. Yes, We [...]