Columbus – The following statement can be attributed to Auditor of State Dave Yost in response to the January 6 decision by the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas concerning The International Preparatory School.

“Good work by the Attorney General has helped Ohio taxpayers preserve their claim against those who would squander important education dollars,” Auditor Yost said. “Robust oversight by a school’s sponsor should protect against such shameful waste of public funds.”

The decision upholds a judgment of $1.4 million in findings against The International Preparatory School community school and its operators Hasina Shabazz and Da’ud Shabazz. The court rejected arguments by Hasina Shabazz that she did not have personal liability.

Changes to Ohio law governing community school oversight in the budget bill now requires increased supervision by charter school sponsors.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,600 state and local government agencies.  Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111