SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today directed the expansion of an audit and investigation begun last March into the operations of the California Charter Academy (CCA), and urged parents of all students attending CCA satellite campuses to prepare for the possibility of more school closures.

Among other issues, auditors will be investigating a Joint Powers Authority established to pay health insurance for CCA employees. There is some question about whether the authority has failed to pay premiums to health providers. Auditors will also look into assets held by the charter school operator and its affiliates.

"Based on information that has surfaced since the closure of two of the four California Charter Academy schools, I have serious doubts about the viability of the entire organization," O'Connell said. "While it is unfortunate to contemplate school closures and the disruption they cause to students' and teachers' lives, I believe it is in the best interest of all CCA parents to begin exploring alternative education options for their children before the beginning of the school year."

CCA operated four charter schools in Orange and San Bernardino counties, with as many as 60 satellite campuses located in 20 counties statewide. O'Connell called for a joint investigation of CCA by the California Department of Education and the Orange County and San Bernardino County offices of education last March. State and county officials cannot comment on details of the investigation while it is underway. In the interests of students and teachers, however, O'Connell said he has asked county schools superintendents in both counties holding CCA charters to work with the districts of all schools where the charter had satellite campuses, to ensure that all CCA students are made aware of school alternatives.

"Our primary goal is to minimize disruptions in the education of students who through no fault of their own, have been put at risk by what appears to be at minimum, a fiscally precarious operation," O'Connell said.