MICHAEL MURPHY OUT AS PRINCIPAL AS IVY ACADEMIA HIGH SCHOOL

L.A. Daily News | http://bit.ly/KSDFcy

09/2012 05:50:19 PM PDT :: Ivy Academia, which operates four campuses in the West San Fernando Valley, said Wednesday that Michael Murphy had left as principal of its high school in Chatsworth.

A letter sent to parents by Executive Director Carl W. Raggio III said the charter school and principal Michael Murphy had "parted ways because of personnel issues." In a phone interview, Raggio refused to say whether Murphy had resigned or been terminated, citing privacy issues. Murphy could not be reached for comment.

Tom Oliver, chairman of Ivy's board of directors, said Murphy's departure on Wednesday was unrelated to financial difficulties the school has experienced in the past.

In 2007, Los Angeles Unified's Inspector General released an audit that criticized some of Ivy's financial practices.

Subsequently, Ivy founders Eugene Selivanov and his wife, Tatyana Berkovich, were charged with misusing the school's public funds. They have pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud and embezzlement.

Raggio said Ivy has overhauled its operation and now has a strong financial foundation and a good relationship with Los Angeles Unified. It also has enhanced its academic programs, he said, adding that about 95 percent of Ivy's high school graduating class will be attending college this fall.

Ivy has a total of 1,150 students in grades kindergarten through 12th, including 270 at its high school in Chatsworth. It also operates campuses in Winnetka and Woodland Hills.

Raggio said that Steven Thompson, Ivy's director of technology and entrepreneurship, will serve as interim principal while a panel of administrators, teachers and parents recruit a replacement for Murphy.