State auditor to 'evaluate' concerns about charter school ties to Old Sturbridge Village

Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette
·2 min read
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WORCESTER — State Auditor Diana DiZoglio says she understands concerns raised by the Worcester School Committee in its request for an audit of the financial arrangement between Old Sturbridge Village, Old Sturbridge Academy and the proposed Worcester Cultural Academy charter school.

In an emailed statement Wednesday, DiZoglio said she will evaluate the request once it is formally received by her office.

The site of the proposed Worcester Cultural Academy, at 81 Plantation St.
The site of the proposed Worcester Cultural Academy, at 81 Plantation St.

"In general my office is not statutorily required to conduct municipal audits; however, when an elected municipal body votes to request an audit my office reviews the information presented," DiZoglio said. "There are a few things considered before determining whether or not we would begin our audit process in accordance with government auditing standards. In this instance, I understand the concerns and matter at hand and plan to evaluate the request once it is received."

More:Mass. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education OKs Worcester charter school

Monday, the School Committee unanimously voted to call upon DiZoglio, the Office of the Inspector General and the state Ethics Commission to look into concerns that the proposed charter school is being used to financially strengthen Old Sturbridge Village.

Spokespeople from both the Office of the Inspector General and the state Ethics Commission said a statute requires that the offices maintain confidentiality about investigations, and therefore cannot not confirm whether either is looking into the matter.

Worcester Deputy Superintendent Brian Allen and school committee members raised concerns over a section from the Old Sturbridge Village annual report, in which CEO Jim Donahue wrote that both the proposed school and Old Sturbridge Academy “are the key to the future of the Village."

Tuesday, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to award a charter to Worcester Cultural Academy.

In a statement, Worcester Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez welcomed the state auditor's consideration.

"We are pleased that the Office of State Auditor Diana DiZoglio is taking our concerns seriously. Funding intended for public education should not be used to subsidize Old Sturbridge Village," Monárrez said.

Donahue said in a statement that he welcomes a potential audit.

"Old Sturbridge Village expects a close review from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of the proposed management services agreement with the Worcester Cultural Academy, and welcomes a further review by the State Auditor as part of the preopening process," Donahue said.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Mass. auditor to consider concerns about Worcester charter school