Posted on 08/09/2005 6:15:34 AM PDT by Born Conservative
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Ed Rendell on Monday called for an investigation into the finances and management of the troubled Chester Upland School District, and asked the district's controlling board to step down, after the release of a state audit that found widespread problems.
The state comptroller's audit "confirms that the district's fiscal management systems are completely broken down, creating an environment ripe for criminal activity and worthy of investigation by the U.S. attorney, the attorney general and the district attorney," Rendell said.
A three-member Board of Control, which the governor does not have the authority to dismiss, currently oversees the district.
"There is clear and convincing evidence that the management controls in the district are dangerously out of control, and though my hands are tied statutorily, I refuse to stand by and watch another student cheated of a decent education," Rendell said.
Chester Upland, which was classified as a "distressed" district in 1994, currently ranks last in the state for 5th and 11th grade reading achievement and 11th grade math achievement. Yet, it spends $12,940 per student — more than the state average of $9,309 and about the same as high achieving school districts like Marple Newtown and Wallingford-Swarthmore in Delaware County, Rendell said.
The forensic audit, which spans from July 1, 2003, through Dec. 31, 2004, does not fault anyone in particular but says the district's chaotic record-keeping led to tens of thousands of dollars of misspent funds.
Among its findings:
_Invoices of more than $2.2 million were paid to food vendor Aramark with no supporting documentation, and the contracts for Aramark and other vendors could not be located;
_A dozen checks totaling $92,759 were written and cashed but not signed by the district;
_More than $165,000 was paid in unauthorized overtime to maintenance staff, despite a policy requiring prior approval by the superintendent and the Board of Control.
_Poorly maintained files made it impossible to determine teacher's proper salary levels, the status of teacher certifications, experience and education level of teachers, or W-4 tax forms.
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I think this school district is from your neck of the woods...
Typical of Fast Eddy appointees and friends - liberal cheats all.
It is. It may the first public school district made extinct by charter schools.
Fat Eddie should call for an investigation of the thieves in the Harrisburg Capitol Building.
That's not necessarily a bad thing...
Chester is right there among the absolute worst smaller cities in the nation, along with Camden, Gary, and East Saint Louis.
:-)
I'm not kidding either. The district's educrats are terrified at the number of kids using the escape hatch.
Chester had problems when I was in Haverford HS 40 years ago. I can remember there were always cops around at the football games. I also remember that we had to have cops at home games. 'The more things change the more they remain the same.'
After 40 years Fast Eddie thinks he can fix it?
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