Report finds Perpich Center lacks financial safeguards

The Perpich Center for Arts Education is a one-of-a-kind for Minnesota in that it's the only high school that's also a state agency. Lawmakers created the school for 11th and 12th graders, some of whom live on campus, to get their education through a focus on arts.

A new report from Minnesota's Legislative Auditor suggests the school has an inadequate framework to run day-to-day administrative tasks. According to Deputy Legislative Auditor Cecile Ferkul policies on travel and reimbursement, as well as systems to ensure employees are properly paid, are among those deemed insufficient.

"We did not find fraud, but it's the kind of control weaknesses that could really lend themselves to that," said Ferkul.

A written response from the Perpich Center acknowledges a need for improvements. The Center notes it recently created a director's job to oversee such management and address the audit's findings.