Report says Philadelphia charter schools lack oversight

From The Philadelphia Inquirer: the Philadelphia School District has failed to monitor 67 charter schools, leaving both it and the taxpayers "extremely vulnerable to fraud, waste and abuse," City Controller Alan Butkovitz says. In a report that looks in depth at 13 charter schools and at the district's charter oversight office, Butkovitz proposes amending state law to reduce opportunities for fraud. The report, based on a 14-month fraud investigation, discloses "questionable practices, suspect relationships and potential vulnerabilities." Butkovitz urges the district to exercise the oversight called for by the 1997 state law that created charter schools.