Carson City charter school under investigation

Carson City’s Silver State Charter School is under investigation by the state’s Charter School Authority.

Authority Director Patrick Gavin told the Board of Examiners on Tuesday that staff discovered “significant discrepancies” in the financial records of both Silver State and the Quest Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas.

He made the statements in explaining his request for funding to hire independent auditors to review the financial records and handling of state funds at the two schools.

The board consisting of the governor, secretary of state and attorney general approved a $175,000 contract with Deloitte Consulting to conduct the audits.

Gavin said both schools are “in breach status” of their contracts with the authority. Gavin said the audits will begin in the next seven to 10 business days and hopefully be completed in less than 60 days.

With the approach of the school year, Gavin said he understands the need to get the work done quickly.

Steve Knight, executive director of Silver State, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.