Missouri auditor wants education agency docs

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich is considering whether to initiate an audit of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Schweich has sent a letter to Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro seeking documents related to an initiative petition affecting teacher tenure and a state contract with a group that's supposed to recommend ways to improve unaccredited districts such as the Kansas City school

system.

Schweich said he wants the documents to help him decide whether to audit the department next year.

Nicastro has been criticized by some teachers' unions and Democratic lawmakers for the way she's handled the consulting contract and interacted with supporters of the initiative campaign.