Inspector General’s Office Yet to Deliver Findings for Broward School District
A year after the Broward School District enlisted the county’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to identify instances of waste, fraud, and abuse, no reports have yet been published. Despite receiving over 130 tips and actively investigating five cases, the office has not made any recommendations for a district that has faced longstanding issues of corruption and mismanagement.
Inspector General Carol “Jodie” Breece explained to the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the investigations her office conducts are complex and require a thorough review of numerous financial transactions. She anticipates sharing some results by the end of the fiscal year, September 30.
“We do understand that some people might want more immediate results from the OIG and want us to work faster,” Breece said. “I don’t think that the School Board as a whole or administration has an expectation that we’re going to be super speedy in addressing specific questions that they have, because that’s not our model. That’s not what we do.”
Despite Breece’s assurances, six of the nine School Board members, including Lori Alhadeff and Debbi Hixon, are open to exploring alternative oversight options. Alhadeff emphasized, “The Inspector General’s office was created to ensure independent and thorough review, and its effectiveness should always be evaluated to make sure it’s serving our district well.”
While some board members are considering changes, others like Chairwoman Sarah Leonardi and Allen Zeman support maintaining the current setup. Maura Bulman remains undecided, citing a lack of reports to assess the office’s impact.
The OIG has been operational since 2010, primarily overseeing county government and local cities. After significant turmoil within the school district, including the removal of School Board members and administrative shakeups, voters approved an amendment to include the school district under the OIG’s jurisdiction. The contract is voluntary, and either party can terminate it with 30 days’ notice.
Board member Debbi Hixon expressed frustration, noting the lack of timely responses from the OIG. “It isn’t about not wanting more accountability,” she said, “but I feel like we’re just throwing away all this money.” The district’s financial constraints, including $100 million in cuts, have prompted Jeff Holness to consider the $1.2 million annual OIG contract for potential savings.
Breece noted that her office has not been a financial burden, with unspent funds from the initial budget. Board member Adam Cervera suggested comparing costs with the Palm Beach County School District’s inspector general for potential insights.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn’s decision to halt a $115 million laptop contract due to a complaint about the bidding process was referred to the OIG. The investigation led to delays in the laptop initiative as members awaited the OIG’s findings. Breece advised against expecting quick resolutions, stating, “We would not encourage any entity to delay a business decision with the hopes that an OIG investigation will timely result in helpful information.”
The School Board proceeded with the laptop contract while the investigation continued. Of 130 closed cases, only a few warranted further action, with many either outside OIG jurisdiction or lacking evidence of significant violations.
A recent controversy involved bonuses paid to top administrators from funds intended for teachers, leading the board to consider OIG involvement. However, board members like Hixon questioned the OIG’s prioritization and timeliness.
Parent volunteer Nathalie Lynch-Walsh echoed the need for urgency, urging Hixon to advocate for faster action from the OIG. The board decided to use its chief auditor for a rapid review of the bonus issue, alongside notifying the OIG.
Breece urged patience, promising that the agreement would yield valuable insights and recommendations. Zeman emphasized the deterrent effect of the OIG’s presence, stating, “Everyone in government who has worked in a place where there is an inspector general fears them, as they should.”
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