Ohio Charter School Leader Fired Amid Fraud Allegations

Ramone Davenport, the former superintendent of Dohn Community High School, an Ohio charter school for at-risk youth, was fired in September 2024 following allegations of financial mismanagement and potential fraud. These claims led to a state investigation and the school's abrupt closure in March. This situation has brought renewed attention to oversight issues within the charter school system.

Davenport's Dual Role: School Leader and Nightclub Operator

Ramone Davenport's leadership at Dohn Community High School, a charter school serving vulnerable teenagers, coincided with his operation of several bars and restaurants across Greater Cincinnati. City records indicate that some of these businesses faced significant issues, including violent incidents and violations related to underage drinking.

One notable establishment, the Red Rose Lounge in Northside, was reportedly a hub for disruptive events. A social media video, prior to its closure, showed patrons waving fireworks indoors. The venue was also the scene of a shooting involving unlicensed security personnel, resulting in injuries.

These issues in Davenport's private businesses became public as problems at Dohn Community High School escalated. The school, which had served students with limited educational alternatives for over two decades, ultimately closed its doors. School officials attributed the closure directly to Davenport's actions.

Allegations of Misuse of Public Funds at Dohn

Concerns regarding Davenport's conduct at Dohn began to surface in June 2024. The Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, the school's sponsor, contacted the Ohio auditor's office to report "outrageous spending." The foundation was responsible for overseeing Dohn's operations, including its academic and financial performance.

The foundation identified high spending levels in fiscal year 2024, noting that approximately $4.2 million in taxpayer money was at risk. Davenport and the school's treasurer cited building upgrades as the reason for this increased expenditure. However, the sponsor's staff did not observe any major construction or improvements during site visits.

A significant point of contention was that Dohn owned only one of its school buildings. The sponsor stated, "It does not make sense that they are pouring millions of dollars on buildings they do not own."

"I believe Davenport lied to the Board of Directors to enrich himself and others by misusing public funds intended for construction," said Michael Bauer, Dohn's school board president, in an affidavit.

Payments for construction services were reportedly directed to Larry Ballew, a business associate of Davenport. Court documents indicate that work at one property, which Ballew was associated with, was never completed. Ballew was also listed as the statutory agent for two of Davenport's businesses and owned the building that housed the former Red Rose Lounge.

Undisclosed Business Ties and Inflated Enrollment Numbers

Dohn paid over $5 million to eight businesses in fiscal year 2024. These payments included funds directed to Davenport's school management company, Cincinnati Charter School Collaborative, and to companies run by Ballew. The sponsor deemed these payments unusually high and questioned their public purpose.

When questioned by Dohn's attorney during an investigation, Davenport and Ballew denied their business relationship. However, public records showed a consistent pattern of business ties between the two men. The sponsor raised concerns about this lack of disclosure.

Further investigations revealed that Davenport had executed agreements on Dohn's behalf without proper board approval. One such agreement involved a lease for an apartment in Puerto Rico, which Davenport signed in the school's name, claiming he intended to open a school there.

By September 2024, Dohn's cash balance was critically low. School officials had relied on an expected student population of 1,600 for state funding. However, after Davenport's removal, they discovered that Dohn had only 600 students. This significant misrepresentation of enrollment numbers directly impacted the school's financial stability.

Nightlife Operations Plagued by Violence and Violations

Beyond the financial issues at Dohn, Davenport's bar businesses were consistently linked to public safety concerns. City records detail multiple violent incidents at establishments he operated.

At the Red Rose Lounge, an October 2024 incident involved a patron being shot twice during an argument. A security guard, initially denying involvement, later admitted to firing "warning shots" from an unlicensed handgun. While no charges were filed for the shooting itself due to identification issues, the bouncer was convicted for operating as an armed security guard without a license.

Other businesses run by Davenport, including the Affinity Rose Lounge in Roselawn, were cited for selling alcohol to underage informants. Records also show that the Red Rose Lounge continued to sell alcohol, including to minors, even while its liquor permit was suspended.

• Shootings: Documented at Red Rose Lounge.
• Stabbing: Reported at one of Davenport's bars.
• Fights: Frequent occurrences at multiple locations.
• Underage Drinking: Citations issued for sales to minors.
• Unlicensed Security: Involved in violent incidents.

These issues prompted an unidentified Cincinnati official to contact Dohn's sponsor in September 2024, expressing "significant concerns" about Davenport's suitability to operate a school given the nature and closures of his other businesses. Davenport, while acknowledging ownership of bars, denied accusations of drug trafficking, calling them "ludicrous." City records do not support drug trafficking claims but confirm other problems.

Broader Implications for Charter School Accountability

The problems at Dohn Community High School reflect broader patterns observed in charter school scandals nationwide. Carol Burris, executive director of the Network for Public Education, a group critical of charter schools, identified common issues:

1. Overpaying in related-party transactions: Funds are directed to businesses connected to school administrators at inflated rates.
2. Inflated enrollment numbers: Schools misrepresent student counts to receive more state funding.
3. "Cooking the books": School funds are used for personal expenses, sometimes including luxury items like private jets or expensive sports tickets.

Burris noted that Davenport's case, while serious, is "kind of small change" compared to other major charter school scandals. For example, Ohio's Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) closed in 2018 after being ordered to repay $80 million for overstated enrollment figures.

Charter school advocates often argue that the system includes sufficient safeguards. However, critics like Burris contend that a lack of transparency and weak oversight create opportunities for fraud. She pointed to three main structural issues:

• Nonelected school boards: Unlike traditional public schools, most charter school boards are not elected by the community. Members are often volunteers, sometimes friends with school officials, and can serve indefinitely. This structure can lead to less public accountability.
• For-profit operators: The involvement of for-profit entities in school management can create conflicts of interest.
• Lax contract bidding laws: Weaker regulations around contracting can facilitate improper financial dealings.

Jim Goenner, president and CEO of the National Charter Schools Institute, acknowledges the difficulty in identifying "bad actors." He stated that if individuals set out to deceive, they are challenging to catch. However, he maintained that the ongoing investigation into Dohn shows the system is working to address issues when they arise.

The closure of Dohn left 600 students needing to find new schools, a process described as "tough on families and tough on kids." School officials informed families about the closure on a Friday, with the school shutting down just three days later. While Dohn's interim superintendent, Bill Geraghty, stated the school did everything possible to assist transitions, it remains unclear if all students found new educational placements.