Today’s news summary is a bit self-promotional, but important none the less:
MPR: Report: most charter schools mismanage finances
“The study describes the charter school movement as “rife with mismanagement.” It found financial irregularities in 121 of the state’s 145 charter schools during an audit of the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2007.”
Duluth News-Tribune: Think tank: Duluth Edison among charter schools to get poor reviews
“A progressive think tank released a report today slamming a number of charter schools in Minnesota, citing Duluth Edison Schools as one of the worst in the state for financial transparency.”
Pioneer Press: Accounting irregularities common at Minnesota charter schools says study
“More than 80 percent of Minnesota charter schools had at least one problem on their 2007 financial audits, according to a study released today by Minnesota 2020, a local think tank.
“That’s a huge red flag,” said John Van Hecke, the group’s executive director. “It really is amazing.”
Minnesota 2020 officials held a news conference Tuesday in front of Aurora charter school in Minneapolis, which they identified as the biggest offender in terms of accounting irregularities. The event was meant to draw attention to what they say is a need to tighten up oversight of charters, which are independent, tuition-free public schools that compete with traditional district schools.
We always hear about the need for accountability in public schools, Van Hecke said, but “is that same accountability standard being applied to all our public education investments?”
AP: Report slams bookkeeping at Minn. charter schools (via KSTP)
Albert Lea Tribune: Pawlenty can stop blaming Albert Lea for state budget mess
Jeff Van Wychen sets it straight, again.
“Indignant that Minnesota mayors would dare oppose his scheme to balance the state’s budget, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has lashed out at the city of Albert Lea. However, Mayor Michael Murtaugh and the other Minnesota city officials who stood with him at a recent press conference were right: the governor should stop shifting the state’s budget problems on to the backs of property taxpayers and local governments.”
Mankato Free Press: Fireworks reignited
“Mayor John Brady suggested that the lack of a high-profile event like the fireworks would remind the public that local governments are cutting services.”
Star Tribune: The poor are an easy target, or are they?
Related posts:
- Charter School Accountability
- Charter Accountability, Unallotment, Furloughs, the Depot, and Free Parks
- Budget Outcomes, Charter Cheats, and Recovery Dollars
