Pennsylvania's new auditor general says improper payments to charter schools may have cost state taxpayers millions of dollars.
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale on Thursday released audits of six charters that cited improper lease reimbursements totaling more than $550,000 over four years, mostly involving property leased from organizations with direct ties to the schools.
DePasquale says the cost to taxpayers could escalate to millions of dollars if the practice turns out to be widespread among the more than 150 other Pennsylvania charter schools. The audited schools are in Lehigh, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Mercer, Bucks and Monroe counties.
A spokesman says state Education Secretary Ron Tomalis will review the audit findings. The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools says it welcomes audits to improve operations and ensure accountability.
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale on Thursday released audits of six charters that cited improper lease reimbursements totaling more than $550,000 over four years, mostly involving property leased from organizations with direct ties to the schools.
DePasquale says the cost to taxpayers could escalate to millions of dollars if the practice turns out to be widespread among the more than 150 other Pennsylvania charter schools. The audited schools are in Lehigh, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Mercer, Bucks and Monroe counties.
A spokesman says state Education Secretary Ron Tomalis will review the audit findings. The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools says it welcomes audits to improve operations and ensure accountability.
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