The state education department is supposed to be directy involved in the running of these collaboratives, but according to the auditor's office, they haven't done it in years. Education officials blame staffing cutbacks.
Like other industries where there's plenty of money to be made by hanging out a "consultant" or "nonprofit" shingle, the state's public education system is rife with former educators and others vying for a wide variety of contracts for services. Some have earned stellar reputations, while others have taken advantage of their career connections and insider knowledge to coddle themselves and their cronies.
According to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, almost $12 billion was spent last year on educating students in the public schools. That's an enormous pot of money, certainly one that deserves safeguarding.
Fortunately there appears to be plenty of legislative support for reform.
"The conduct and practices uncovered by these audits are, in many instances, nothing less than stealing from children with special needs and we fully support prosecution where appropriate," Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo declared in a joint statement issued Wednesday. "It is clear that significant legislative response is needed to ensure oversight of these organizations."
Added Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, D-Boston, who co-chairs the joint legislative Committee on Education, "You can't read this (the auditor's) report without having steam come out of your ears."
The state auditor's report is starting to crack the door open on the seamier side of public education spending. We applaud Auditor Bump for her diligence, and hope she'll continue to pull back the covers on this lucrative industry that has sprung up around the noble cause of educating students.
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