Oakland district sues California official in charter fund dispute
March 17, 2009
Oakland officials say state official improperly gave district funds to charter schools
From The San Francisco Chronicle: The Oakland (Calif.) school board has sued State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, contending that he violated state law and financial common sense when he gave city charter schools $450,000 out of the district's bank account. The lawsuit is the latest volley in a fight for power and authority over the Oakland schools. O'Connell has controlled the purse strings since 2003, when the state bailed out the nearly bankrupt district with a $100 million loan.
