California state auditor probing LA's Magnolia charter schools
The California State Auditor is investigating Magnolia Public Schools, a Southern California-based charter network that has been accused by L.A. Unified of misusing funds.
"Magnolia Science academies, like all other charter schools in the state, are public schools; as such they receive tax payer dollars for their operations," Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian of Sherman Oaks said in his request for the audit.
The state's audit will cost $320,000 and scrutinize a minimum of four of the network's 11 schools, sifting through vendor and payroll records, truancy and test score data and fundraising practices.
Magnolia Public School officials said they welcome the evaluation.
"Our school leadership has always embraced a policy of transparency and accountability when it comes to the fiscal solvency of Magnolia Public Schools and our commitment to superior student achievement," said Mike MeCey, a spokesman for Magnolia.
Nazarian asked for the probe at Thursday's meeting of the California Joint Committee on Legislative Audit, on which he is seated, in response to findings by L.A. Unified's Office of Inspector General. California state auditor probing LA's Magnolia charter schools | 89.3 KPCC: