http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/12082904.htm
The office of the Ohio State Auditor will investigate whether the Lucas County Educational Service Center (ESC) board illegally granted authority to its superintendent, Thomas Baker, to singularly approve contracts with at least 78 charter schools. The office is following up on a request by state Sen. Teresa Fedor. "We're just gathering more documentation, more information, so we can make an adequate assessment of the process that was in place at the Lucas County ESC for authorizing these charter schools," said a spokeswoman from the auditor’s office. Fedor said further research shows that even before the board handed over authority in 2004, as many as 23 contracts may have been granted without a public vote. "How is it that one individual has the most power in the state to oversee and approve charter schools, and all out of the public's eye?" she said. The Lucas County ESC now sponsors 112 of the state's approximately 250 charter schools.
Source: Akron Beacon Journal
Date: 07/08/2005
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