Hernandez Welcomes Audit, but Calls it a "Waste of Money"

Dr. Lawrence Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer of the Cesar Chavez Academy Network, says he welcomes the state's audit of the Network's finances and CSAP administration practices, but also called it, "a waste of money." Commissioner of Education, Dwight Jones, responded to the letter from Dr. John Covington, out-going Superintendent of the Pueblo 60 School District and Network authorizer, by stating the state would conduct a third-party investigation of the Network schools' CSAP administration and conduct a forensic financial audit. The cost of these audits has been authorized for up to $80,000 and will be borne by Pueblo 60, the Charter School Institute and CDE.

In Covington's letter, he cited reports that students were permitted to change their answers on the CSAP test and other testing irregularities. Further, Covington raised concerns about a teacher licensure company operated by Hernandez. The state's review will examine the Network and any subsidiaries.

The Network operates Cesar Chavez Academy-Pueblo, Dolores Huerta High School and GOAL Academy in Pueblo and Cesar Chavez Academy-North in Colorado Springs. The Network surrendered their charter for a second school in Colorado Springs to the Charter School Institute after facility and enrollment concerns. A new school in Denver will open next month.