1008 Procurement Policy In accordance with Chapter 46 of the acts of 1997, the charter school regulations state that the charter school administrator who serves as procurement officer must obtain a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) certificate. (Horace Mann Charter school administrators are also required to obtain an MCPPO certificate). There is not a requirement to be MCPPO designated; the law requires that the administrator responsible for procurement receives a MCPPO certificate stating that they have successfully completed either the Public Contracting Overview seminar or the Charter School Procurement seminar. Recommended Audit Procedures: Examine evidence and determine that the charter school administrator who serves as procurement officer has participated and obtained the certificate of completion of either the Public Contracting Overview seminar or the Charter School Procurement seminar. If the individual has not participated in the required seminars, determine if the individual in enrolled in or on waitlists for the required seminar. 1009 Charter Amendments In accordance with the provisions of 603 CMR 1.11 any major changes in the charter operation must be approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of school’s Elementary and Secondary Education prior to the changes becoming effective. Major changes are described as those that fundamentally affect a charter mission, school’s organizational structure, or educational program. If the charter school makes a minor change in its operations the board of trustees must submit a request to amend their charter to the commissioner for approval. Minor changes include revisions to by-laws, the schedule, enrollment process, expulsion policy, school's name, and board membership. Recommended Audit Procedures: Determine if the charter school made any changes to their programs or initial governance that requires an amendment to their charter. If so, determine if the board of trustees approved the amendment request, communicated the changes to the Department, and subsequently received approval from the Commissioner and/or Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (603 CMR, § 1.11).
1008 Procurement Policy In accordance with Chapter 46 of the acts of 1997, the charter school regulations state that the charter school administrator who serves as procurement officer must obtain a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) certificate. (Horace Mann Charter school administrators are also required to obtain an MCPPO certificate). There is not a requirement to be MCPPO designated; the law requires that the administrator responsible for procurement receives a MCPPO certificate stating that they have successfully completed either the Public Contracting Overview seminar or the Charter School Procurement seminar. Recommended Audit Procedures: Examine evidence and determine that the charter school administrator who serves as procurement officer has participated and obtained the certificate of completion of either the Public Contracting Overview seminar or the Charter School Procurement seminar. If the individual has not participated in the required seminars, determine if the individual in enrolled in or on waitlists for the required seminar. 1009 Charter Amendments In accordance with the provisions of 603 CMR 1.11 any major changes in the charter school’s operation must be approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education prior to the changes becoming effective. Major changes are described as those that fundamentally affect a charter school’s mission, organizational structure, or educational program. If the charter school makes a minor change in its operations the board of trustees must submit a request to amend their charter to the commissioner for approval. Minor changes include revisions to by-laws, the schedule, enrollment process, expulsion policy, school's name, and board membership. Recommended Audit Procedures: Determine if the charter school made any changes to their programs or initial governance that requires an amendment to their charter. If so, determine if the board of trustees approved the amendment request, communicated the changes to the Department, and subsequently received approval from the Commissioner and/or Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (603 CMR, § 1.11).
FY18AuditGuide.docx