Charter School System ‘best practices’ report to top council agenda
The results of a review of the Cape Coral Charter School System top Cape Coral City Council’s workshop agenda today.
The operational report conducted at the request of Council following an accusations exchange between the municipal school systems Superintendent Nelson Stephenson and Mayor Marni Sawicki paints a financial picture that “is not positive,” according to a cover letter to council from Margaret Krym, the city auditor.
Krym said she sees a need to create a “forward looking financial sustainability model” for the school system, citing “root causes of a breakdown in administrative functions (that) have to do with inadequate staffing resources.” The school system also faces several capital project needs in the near future.
Projections based on city staff numbers, which differ from school system projections, show deficits beginning as early as next school year with steep declines in three.
City Manager John Szerlag wrote in a memo to council that the charter school administration may see the review as intrusive by the city, but that “our actions should not be viewed as anything other than good governance and responsible oversight. We want the same outcome – a municipal charter school system that is financially and operationally sound.”
He also wrote that after more than 10 years of operation, it is not unexpected that the city would want to review the current finances, policies and procedures of the school system.
The review focused on financial management, human resources, recordkeeping, capital expenditures, operation and maintenance among other things.
Also during the meeting, Council will be presented with an update on two of the Economic Development Master Plan elements.
The council workshop meeting will be conducted in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting starts at 4:30 p.m.