WORCESTER, Mass. - Several Worcester School Committee members have concerns about a proposal for a new charter school in the city - the Worcester Cultural Academy.

The committee is asking the state auditor and office of the inspector general to investigate the financial arrangement of Old Sturbridge Village, Old Sturbridge Village Academy and Worcester Cultural Academy. The historical museum would operate the new charter school.

School committee member Tracy O'Connell Novick said her concern is the charter school's "no bid management contract." She said when the school reaches full capacity, it would be receiving nearly $500,000 a year just to fund their H.R. department and budgetary oversight, which Novick said far exceeds what other schools in the state pay.

"Between that and the fact that the executive director of Old Sturbridge Village actually said in their FY'22 annual report that they're expanding to Worcester to provide a revenue stream to the village that is dependable," Novick said. "So, in other words, the management contract isn't even in the best interest of the charter school itself, it's actually being done to keep the village in business."

The state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education commissioner recommended the approval of a charter for the Worcester Cultural Academy. He wrote that the school's application presented a compelling vision for a student-centered education.

The state's education board will meet Tuesday to vote on granting a charter.