Uncategorized

Financial Troubles Expected for Dozens of Arizona Charter Schools

Recently released information shows that the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools has red-flagged dozens of Valley charter schools that will face upcoming independent audits. This data indicates that many of these schools could be facing shaky financial futures in the upcoming school year.

While the worst outcome for schools that find themselves in financial dire straits is closure, which happened to both Phoenix’s StarShine Academy and Goodyear’s Discovery Creemos Academy last year, these economic woes could also force teacher salary cuts or require parents to help out more at their child’s school.

“Parents need to look up their schools and see how healthy they were last year,” said Jim Hall, a member of Arizonans for Charter School Accountability. “They should look at that information and see if their schools is in difficulty and then approach the administration at the school to see why exactly that’s happening. I think parents have to look at it and make sure if they are failing three of the four [financial requirements], they really look closely at whether they want to send their kids to that school next year.” 


In early May, Governor Ducey signed House Bill 2663, which might bring some comfort to parents and students of Valley charter schools. The bill will make school officials personally liable for state procurement regulations violations, setting, for certain infractions, very high penalties.  

Parents can find the financial information for their child’s charter schools here.