Ohio auditor probing tutoring program

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s auditor has begun investigating a federally funded tutoring program used by Columbus school students after allegations of misconduct against private companies supplying the tutoring.

The Columbus Dispatch reported today that Ohio Auditor Dave Yost’s office says the special audit was requested by the Columbus City Schools superintendent and will determine whether there had been any misuse of public funds. A school district spokesman says the superintendent requested the audit in a June 3 letter.

The Dispatch reported in February that the district had stepped up oversight of independent tutors and terminated eight contracts over problems including falsified student signatures and unpaid employees.

The auditor’s office says the state received information about the allegations in a Jan. 24 letter but did not specify who provided the information.