On what the OSV charter management contract is actually funding

 I'm working through a post that's about the testimony from yesterday's charter hearing, but I want to quickly put up what Deputy Superintendent Brian Allen found this week regarding the management contract proposed for the proposed Worcester Cultural Academy Charter School and already extant at Old Sturbridge Village Charter School. 

Here's Mr. Allen's testimony regarding that, closing out his devastating critique of the proposed charter school's budget:

Most troubling, the charter school will pay a no-bid management contract to Old Sturbridge Village.  By year 5, it will send $470,000 annually to Old Sturbridge Village for a financial service contract for a school with 61 total employees!  Nearly 9 cents of every dollar would be spent on this management contract.  Page 92 of the application states that “this fee is less than if the school hired personnel for all of these positions.”  That is absolutely a false statement.  A licensed school business official and a support staff position perform most of these functions in much larger school districts at a fraction of the cost.

But, let’s be very clear about what this charter school is really all about and why it should not be approved:  Page 5 of the FY22 Annual Report of Old Sturbridge Village states, “one such innovation is the anticipated expansion of Old Sturbridge Academy…we will be working to apply for a charter in Worcester, with the goal of opening an elementary school there in the fall of 2023. Our academies are key to the future of the Village...The academies will provide reliable, contractual revenue to the museum, safeguarding us against fluctuations in uncontrollable factors that impact admission revenue such as weather and public health.” 

This isn’t administrative costs; this is diverting public school dollars to, in their own words, provide reliable revenue to Old Sturbridge Village! 

Old Sturbridge Village's FY22 annual report can be found here. The quote Mr. Allen cites is from the opening letter (pictured at the top of the post) from OSV Executive Director James Donahue--who, recall, serves as OSV Charter's ED and would serve as WCACS's ED.
Here is that relevant paragraph:

Text reads: One such innovation is the anticipated expansion of Old Sturbridge Academy. In early 2022, thanks to the support of a dedicated donor, the Village leased a building in Worcester, Massachusetts. In the coming months, we will be working to apply for a charter in Worcester, with the goal of opening an elementary school there in the fall of 2023. Our Academies are key to the future of the Village and expanding into Worcester will allow the Village to impact a greater number of students in an entirely new geographic area. The Academies will provide reliable, contractual revenue to the museum, safeguarding us against fluctuations in uncontrollable factors that impact admission revenue such as weather and public health. At the same time, the Academies are developing the next generation of museum patrons, professionals, members, and volunteers. These bright, curious young people are growing up with a deep and abiding connection to the Village--one I hope will last a lifetime. [emphasis added]

State chapter 70 aid is for public education. It is not to "provide reliable, contractual revenue" to private organizations.