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Lawmaker Wants Superintendent to Discuss Truancy Allegations
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A state lawmaker wants the chance to question Ohio’s top public-schools official about newly surfaced allegations that an online charter school failed to withdraw hundreds of chronically truant students in order to pad its rolls.
The Ohio Virtual Academy says it’s followed all reporting laws and attendance-tracking guidelines.
State Rep. Teresa Fedor told the House Education Committee Tuesday that information emailed by an anonymous whistleblower appears credible and requires answers from Ohio Superintendent Richard Ross.
The email contained a spreadsheet of 402 students appearing truant, some for seven months. The school says that’s a mischaracterization.
Education Chairman Bill Hayes and Fedor have forwarded the email to Auditor Dave Yost. Hayes said a committee appearance by Ross would be considered.
A school’s enrollment dictates its monthly payments from the state.