Charter committee approves one-year extension for ML Tharpe audit services

The City of Milwaukee Charter School Review Committee approved a one-year renewal Wednesday of its contract with ML Tharpe and Associates to continue agreed-upon auditing procedures for charter schools.

Rupesh, representing ML Tharpe and Associates, told the committee, "We are requesting a 1 year extension for our annual review that we do for you guys." Rupesh described the firm's scope: annual review of audits, site visits with notice to schools, internal-control checks, fraud inquiries, and follow-up on any audit findings. He said the firm reviews monthly and quarterly financial reports and will expand testing and site visits if significant problems appear.

Committee members asked whether the proposed extension would change the scope of services or cost. Rupesh replied there were no anticipated changes in the scope and that "we are not raising our price for, for this extension. We are still keeping it at whatever we are at." After brief discussion, a member moved to approve the one-year renewal covering Oct. 22, 2025, through Oct. 22, 2026; Dr. Terry Brookshire seconded. The committee recorded the motion as approved by voice vote.

The contract renewal keeps in place the same auditing and monitoring processes: an annual financial-audit review, management-letter follow-up, scheduled site visits (with one-week notice), and review of monthly and quarterly financial reports provided by schools. Rupesh said the firm prepares an annual report for the committee based on the items and criteria the committee specifies.

Committee members acknowledged that ML Tharpe and Associates — along with Evidence Change and other consultants — are resources that can help schools complete record and financial transfers in the event of school closure or dissolution.

The renewal was approved during the meeting and staff said they expect the contract to remain at the stated price for the extended year. No dollar amounts were specified in the discussion.