For lehighvalleylive.com In his letter, Lieberman said the school “endeavored to conduct a full and complete investigation prior to releasing any findings on this matter in an effort to deter any potential public confusion.” Former board member Sharon Jermany, who resigned from the school board last week, accused the school of stalling its investigation and suggested the school wanted to cover up Bedics’ findings.
Lieberman said that while the audit was dated July 2 the board did not receive it until July 9. When the board met privately July 13, the board directed Antonio to collaborate with its outsourced business office, Charter Choices, to update the school’s financial policies and procedures. Antonio was also directed to work with the school’s attorneys; the school’s auditor, Buckno Lisicky; and the IRS concerning the audit. “Hopefully they do whatever is necessary to fulfill their obligations to the students, staff, and community for the good of the same,” Jermany said Thursday. Bedics told lehighvalleylive.com for the July 27 story he feared the board did not take his audit seriously. He couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday. Lieberman said in the letter, “the board greatly appreciates the work findings and recommendations of Mr. Bedics and seeks only to improve the processes and procedures of the school with the information he has provided.” The audit cites other issues, including the use of a debit card to rack up more than $7,000 of unaccounted-for purchases at big-box retailers and grocery stores. Lieberman said many problems uncovered by Bedics can be blamed on previous administrators who left the school or were fired. “We will continue to take all necessary action to resolve these outstanding matters, including cooperating with authorities. We will also continue to remain honest while dealing freelance quickbooks data entry with all issues that come before us and will make all decisions with a goal to provide an exemplary education for Easton Arts Academy Elementary Charter School’s students,” he wrote. Easton Arts Academy at 30 N. Fourth St. in Easton is a publicly funded by privately run school. It’s among Pennsylvania’s charter schools, which were set up to encourage innovative and new approaches to education while relaxing regulations and state oversight.
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