Turkish rivalry comes to S.J.

Turkey’s heavy-handed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed a onetime ally now in exile in Pennsylvania for allegedly instigating a failed coup this month. But even before Erdogan declared a threemonth state of emergency and arrested thousands, the Turkish government had been targeting imam Fethullah Gülen and his alleged followers in the U.S. — including educators.

Gülen has been an outspoken critic of Erdogan but has denied involvement in the attempted coup. Still, Erdogan is seeking Gülen’s extradition.

Erdogan also has gone after Magnolia Public Schools, which runs 10 high-performing charter schools focused on science, technology, engineering and math.

Earlier this year, when Magnolia applied to open a school in Fremont, Erdogan’s government sent an attorney urging the school board to deny the

request, alleging a nefarious link between charter-school groups, including Magnolia, and Gülen. Magnolia schools were founded by Turkish grad students in Los Angeles, and they have hired some teachers from Turkey. But Magnolia firmly denies any link to Gülen.

“He is fanning the flames of fear,” said a Magnolia spokeswoman. “This is an attempt to firm up Erdogan’s position in Turkey by discrediting opponents.” California State Auditor

Elaine M. Howle just closed an audit of Magnolia and said that the group is financially sound. But earlier this summer, Magnolia announced it would close its successful Santa Clara charter school after a fruitless search for a new campus. The school just ended a tough year in East San Jose, unable to retain or attract enough students after being forced out last year from Santa Clara.

At the moment, Magnolia is not seeking to open more schools in the Bay Area. But in the fall, three of its 10 Southern California charter schools are up for renewal. Expect allegations of Gülen influence to resurface then.