Financial Oversight of Public Charter Schools in Oregon Called into Question

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/10/financial_oversight_of_oregons.html

An investigation by the North Clackamas School District in has raised questions about accounting and financial practices of some public charter schools in Oregon. The 1999 law that created charter schools in the state is "pretty skimpy" on the question of district oversight, says Kaaren Heikes, executive director of the Northwest Center for Educational Options, an independent nonprofit that works with charter schools. By law, the schools are required to be nonprofits and to have an annual audit, but it is up to each district to determine how closely to monitor the finances, Heikes said. "There are districts that never look," she said. She recommends quarterly review of revenue and expenses and close analysis of the annual audit. "It's a growing frontier," said North Clackamas Superintendent Ron Naso. "That's part of the problem. Superintendents all over the state are having difficulties understanding exactly what the relationships are going to be." Naso said he hopes the state will clarify whether public charter schools are allowed wider parameters in terms of financial operations as well as curriculum "There is a dilemma," he said. "What happens if something goes wrong in the process? Who's held accountable for it?"

Source: The Oregonian
Date: 10/26/2008