Report finds handful of charter schools on money watch list

RALEIGH, NC (AP) – Only about 4 percent of North Carolina’s more than 150 charter schools are on a financial watch list tracking taxpayer money going to the non-traditional public schools.

State Department of Public Instruction officials said Wednesday there are six charter schools with financial problems severe enough that they are receiving taxpayer money on a month-to-month basis. The State Board of Education last week voted to close a seventh, Crossroads Charter High School in Charlotte.

There also were six charter schools in so-called disciplinary status at this point last year. Four of those six have since been closed.

Charter schools can use taxpayer money with more flexibility than regular public schools. A state audit last year said Kinston Charter Academy mismanaged money for years before leaving taxpayers with debts.

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