RALEIGH — David Machado will be departing his role as the Director of the NC Office of Charter Schools to take a job with Charter Schools USA (CSUSA).
Machado announced the news in a June 21 letter to charter leaders in the state.
“After much prayer and thought, I have decided to leave my position as Director of the Office of Charter Schools to become the NC State Director for Charter Schools USA,” Machado wrote. During my discussions with CSUSA, it became apparent that this is an excellent opportunity for me to use my experience closer to the school level.”
Machado also wrote, “I have enjoyed my relationship with you and admire and respect the great work you are doing at your schools to promote quality school choice to all students in North Carolina.”
He also noted that Superintendent Truitt named Ashley Baquero to serve as the Interim Director.
Colleen Reynolds, APR Edge Communications of Southwest Florida Public Relations and Marketing Counselor, told North State Journal in an emailed statement that “We are delighted that David Machado has decided to join the team at Charter Schools USA. His expertise will help us bring the schools managed by CSUSA in North Carolina to a new level of excellence.”
Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, CSUSA was founded by Jon Hage in 1997 and he serves as the organization’s President and CEO.
“CSUSA provides world-class educational solutions with an unwavering dedication to student success and an unyielding commitment to ethical and sound business practices,” the organization’s website states. CSUSA’s mission is based in “putting students first.”
According to CSUSA’s website, Hage was a researcher for The Heritage Foundation before becoming the Director of Research at the Foundation for Florida’s Future, a public policy organization founded by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
CSUSA boasts being the “one of the largest high performing education management companies” and has over 90 schools serving some 75,000 students in five states; Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina.
In a related move, House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) appointed Machado to the North Carolina Charter Schools Advisory Board to fill the unexpired term of Lynn Kroeger per House Bill 1175 filed on June 30, which has been signed by the governor. The appointment will last three years, expiring on June 30, 2025.
