State auditors ding Iberville Charter Academy, but school leaders say all spending and fees proper

PLAQUEMINE — Louisiana auditors faulted operators of a Plaquemine charter school Monday, saying the Iberville Charter Academy paid a Florida firm nearly $7 million despite not having a contract in place, billed parents for more than a half-million dollars in fees despite a state prohibition and set up remote learning pods before lawmakers authorized their use.

The academy's parent foundation said no harm occurred. In a statement to the auditing team, the South Louisiana Charter Foundation said that while no contract existed between ICA and Florida-based Blended and Online School Services, its board was aware that it was paying $6.7 million for an education program.

School leaders also said Louisiana allowed remote-learning pods before lawmakers formally approved them in 2021, and said th