Regarding the bidding and construction process for the Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts, Executive Director Diane LaBelle responded to Auditor General Eugene DePasquale’s recent report via email to the Press Friday.

“The auditor general’s characterization that this loophole ‘keeps the public in the dark’ implies that a school is making a maneuver to deceive when the fact is that it is the only option available. The Charter Arts Foundation was formed to raise the funds for the building construction,” LaBelle said.

“As the auditor general stated, the Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts and the Charter Arts Foundation cooperated fully throughout the audit process, and the auditor general’s office concluded that the school and foundation operated in accordance with the law regarding this matter.”

The foundation conducted a competitive bidding process that complied with Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant program and all other school construction laws.

LaBelle said a charter school cannot float a bond or go to the taxpayers to raise taxes to build a facility like the traditional public school does, and creating a foundation was the advised recourse.

She said Charter Arts worked with the school district and city council throughout the process.

“We are pleased that the auditor general stepped out to applaud the Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts for our outstanding student success. We agree with the auditor general that Pennsylvania needs to update its Charter School Law and we welcome conversations with Mr. DePasquale to help further that progress.”