Columbus – A state audit released today reveals Polly Fox Academy (Lucas County) owes the Ohio Department of Education $49,962 for inaccurate student attendance data reporting

“Recipients of taxpayer dollars have an obligation to be accurate with record keeping,” said Auditor of State Keith Faber. “My office will continue to fight to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately and are repaid when necessary.”

State law establishes that community schools receive their funding from the Ohio Department of Education based upon annual attendance reports.

Attendance record reviews for fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018 found the academy was not entitled to some funding that it had received based on student attendance. The academy established a payment plan with the Ohio Department of Education that involved reduced monthly funding in order recoup the overpayment. However, as of June 30, 2018, the academy has closed and is no longer paying the money back.

The Auditor’s office has issued a finding for recovery for the remaining balance of $49,962 against Polly Fox Academy. The academy has been in discussion with the Ohio Department of Education to determine the official finding repayment amount.

A full copy of this report is available online.

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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 6,000 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.

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