The Journal Star has discovered more financial anomalies at District 150:
More than $24,000 was paid last year to several teachers at nearly a dozen District 150 schools for extracurricular activities that were approved but went beyond what those individual schools were allotted to spend.
The worst offender: Washington Middle School, where an estimated $8,370 was spent beyond what is allowed through contractual obligations at middle schools. That is one of the findings of a Journal Star analysis of a list received through the Freedom of Information Act containing the more than $1.32 million spent in the 2008-09 school year on extracurricular activities.
“It’s not a situation where teachers were getting paid for doing nothing,” Mary Davis, an academic officer for the district, said of the errors at many District 150 schools. Rather, there is “no checks and balance system,” Davis said.
And there you have it, right from the District 150 administration: There is no checks and balance system. Mary Davis should be familiar with that problem. She’s being sued by a former principal for misappropriation of school activity funds. Whether she is ultimately convicted of these charges or not, the fact remains that there is insufficient checks and balances of the student activity funds.
Unfortunately, this is a pervasive problem at District 150. Year after year, District 150’s annual audit has included this criticism, as reported earlier this year by the Journal Star:
The internal financial review controls at District 150 are at the very least inadequate, resulting in errors, unsubstantiated account balances and generally leaves the district without an accurate day-to-day report of its cash flow, according to a letter from the district’s auditors.
That audit report was rumored to have been the reason Guy Cahill was fired by the school district. And that made me wonder, why is there no quote from the district’s new controller/treasurer Pam Schau? Why is an academic officer answering questions about these improprieties? And why an academic officer who is under suspicion herself?
I wondered why Mary Davis was answering those questions, as well. She should have been put on administrative leave as soon as McArdle brought to light the discrepancies.
I also found it slightly humorous that the biggest OOPS!!! came from the almighty, untouchable, Washington Gifted.
I have lots of other opinions, but will need time to put them into, somewhat, intelligent language.
Yes, I found it quite ironic that Mary Davis was commenting on a lack of checks and balances. I think this is something she is not only quite aware of but should be quite in favor of because it seems it helped her skate through principalship into administration.
I believe it is the principals who make these decisions–the teachers do not write their own checks. Principals have been allowed this discretionary spending for quite some time–and they aren’t obligated to explain their choices of people who get extra money. Faculty members would very much like to see an accounting of the money spent in their own building. Also, in many cases the increases are understandable. For instance, if a speech team advances farther than was expected, more money will be needed to send the students to the competitions, etc. I hope that the principals who signed off on this extra spending are asked to explain–there might be a good explanation. Also, I realize that the administration is looking for ways to take the heat off themselves for the fees they pay consultants. I’m glad the PJS is engaging in some investigative journalism. Now the PJS should try to do more follow-up to answer some of the questions brought to light by this first FOIA. Also, if 150 stops paying coaches, that would be the end of extra-curricular activities. Sorry–this is just a repeat of what I wrote I PJS site.
“if 150 stops paying coaches, that would be the end of extra-curricular activities. ”
That’s a shame really… but why? The parochial schools seem perfectly capable of supporting extra-curricular activities with unpaid parent volunteers.
Funny that Mary Davis is all of a sudden concerned about checks and balances! I guess you have a change of heart when you are caught with your hand in the cookie jar. Too bad she had to throw the Principal of Washington under the bus. I’m sure she was doing the same thing that every other principal in D150 was doing. You know, Mary Davis did not allow any students from Lindbergh to go or even apply at Washington Gifted because she didn’t want to lose the students she cherry-picked…BIG rivalry on her part with Washington Gifted…..well known fact……I don’t know, but Washington Gifted students should have all extras because they are a GIFTED school? Davis didn’t like the fact that all the smart kids were at Washington….FACT!
MD spent an enormous amount of money while at Lindbergh….oh, lets check on what she got paid as a “coach” while at Richwoods…..you know what they say: those who live in glass houses should not throw stones…..even if you are leaving the GLASS house for the BIG house…..
Mahkno: I am not acquainted with the policies at parochial schools. I would assume that high school coaches of the major sports are paid, right? I think it’s all a matter of fairness. For years in 150 the main coaches were paid, but teachers who did other extra-curricular jobs were not paid. I think that change in the early 1970s–not sure.
Bill Maher asks this same question:
http://www.videosift.com/video/Bill-Maher-New-Rules-When-Does-Everything-have-to-Be-Profit
Aren’t schools given a percentage of their yearly budgets for extracurricular activities? And, if that money is at the discretion of the principals, are they documenting/keeping receipts for every penny received/spent? If not, they should in order to save them the embarrassment the principal at Washington is going through right now.
Oh, yes. And MD sure is correct in stating “there is no checks and balance system;” if one HAD been in place, maybe she’d never have tried to get away with what she’s (allegedly) getting away with (so far.) In fact, she’d be either A.) out of a job right now, or B.) transferred to YET ANOTHER position (and given a raise!) within 150.
UNFORTUNATELY, in her case, you’re innocent until proven guilty. But, it seems to me she should be on some sort of unpaid suspension since she’s under investigation for her (alleged) crime(s)?
Am I getting off-topic when I re-hash old/on-going news or are the two issues somewhat related? YOU BE THE JUDGE.
Woodruff trennis the last few years has been a farce let alone paying two coachs. When I was an unpaid assistant tennis coach to Pete Sanfilip, Pete gave me a trophy in 1999 as “Most Valuable Staff” and in 2000, “Most Valuable Coach”. In 2000, Woodruff won the Mid-State 6 Conference, the Mid-State 6 Tournament, the IHSA Sectional and qualified 4 indivduals for the state. Our team’s record was 12-3, the best record in the school’s history.
They have not had a decent program since or a coach with interest in the program since.
I was also an unpaid volunteer at Manual and Notre Dame. Now 2 people conduct a tennis program at Woodruff similar to intra-murals and get paid $5000 which contributes for their retirement?? I understand from one of the Manual players they have a coach who shows up on occassion. Only one player showed up at the conference tournament. The kid was sitting by himself after losing in the first round. No Manual coach or parent on hand. I’m sure this “coach” gets paid.
Better yet, the tennis coach at Richwoods started as a volunteer, now is a paid coach and is elgible for school teacher benefits even though all she does is coach tennis.
With rare exceptiom, minor sports are a joke at #150. The money would be better spent running intramural programs where more kids could particpate and buses and drivers would not be needed drawing overtime pay.
When Dr. Strand replaced Harry Whittaker, most sports except basketball and some football, were basically shelved. I remember then Principal Herschell Hannah coming to one Woodruff tennis practice. He never showed up for any match ever. Now he is a highly paid administrator at #150.
Hmmmmm.
Are you kidding, Washington Gifted embarrassed? Nah… they more than likely believe they are entitled to it.
Why wouldn’t Washington Gifted have DI, Robotics, Scholastic Bowl, Math Counts, etc. Come on, these are the best and brightest in the district—-tongue in cheek!
I have a feeling (I haven’t actually asked the 8th grader in my life who just graduated from Washington Gifted)–but I think these kids would be more than happy if the word “gifted” would be dropped from the name of the school. Also, I would be willing to bet that more of these kids participate in extra-curricular activities (not just sports) than do students at other 150 middle schools. What are we arguing about: Is it that you don’t like the teachers making the money to sponsor these activities or is it that you don’t like the students being offered these opportunities? At some schools offering extra-curricular activities and paying sponsors are a waste of money because so few kids participate. Yet 150 undoubtedly feels it has to offer the programs no matter how few show up.
Sharon…
I have been told by several students and parents that they do not like always having the gifted lable. You are correct.
Steve: that’s LABEL
Oops: Who r u kidding is into correcting errors. I don’t correct errors on blogs (too busy apologizing for my own), but I am certainly having fun correcting all the errors in the charter school document. Who R U Kidding, if you enjoy finding grammatical errors, have at it. I am continually amazed that these organizations (including District 150) do not hire a consultant to proofread their documents–they just have to be embarrassed. I am having as much fun correcting this document as I had correcting the Manual Restructuring Plan. Yes, I am sorry to say that I do enjoy it–I was an English teacher, remember–they do enjoy some pretty boring stuff. What is so amazing is that the Manual Plan and the Charter School document contain the very kinds of errors that students are supposed to recognize in the ACT test. And you all don’t believe me when I say that the average person couldn’t pass the ACT test.
The more I think about this story, the more confused I am. I know we all looking for ways that District 150 overspent or misused money. However, this does seem to be the most inocuous of all. $24,000 is appoximately $1,000 per school. I think there’s every chance that going over budget for expenses that can’t always be estimated is not that big a deal. At least, this money was spent on activities directly involving and for the benefit of students. Along with C.J., I am, also, very curious as to why the duties of Mary Davis’ very new position include keeping tabs on the spending of each school–and why she has chosen to point so many fingers at so many. I realize this story was the result of a PJS FOIA, but I thought FOIA requests are answered by providing documents only–not accompanied by narratives (explanations by employees)–at least, that’s what I’ve been told–that no one can answer questions about the FOIAd info (probably works differently for the media, but… It seems that Davis has answered quite a few questions here, even making what seems to be accusations. Obviously, District 150 must have agreed to paying these bills. I certainly thought that principals were obligated at the beginning of the year to turn in the names and salaries of all coaches so that the payroll department can include the extra pay on teachers’ paychecks. I certainly agree that all these accounts should be watched more closely, but I don’t understand why Davis–if she did–gave the PJS so many specifics. I guess what I’m saying is how would Haney (by just looking at documents) know that these expenditures were actually over budget, etc. Mary Davis’ role in this story is just crazy. Even if she didn’t have the cloud hanging over her head, she still shouldn’t be the employee making all these accusations–certainly making Washington Gifted guilty, for instance, when the expenditures might be completely OK.
One of the things in the budget that is absolutely NEVER explained is the $2 million+ we are spending on our attorneys. Dr. Gorenz says it has to do with negotiations, grievances filed, etc. Martha has asked multiple times for a line by line explanation for this expenditure and, to my knowledge, has never received it.
I would like to see this explained.
I would also like to see how we pay our superintendent and his associates, in a manner that is understandable to the everyday joe. I want to know what his salary is, his benefits (retirement, housing, transportation, etc.). We have been very quick to ask for a reduction in staffing on Wisconsin Ave. (I am one of those people) and that has NEVER been addressed. If it is impossible to relieve some of the budget issues this way, I want to know why!
I don’t know if this makes sense or not, if not, I’m sure someone will set me straight.
who…
I know that. I am sorry that late at night I often type first and hit submit without reading.
Yes it looks bad, but it is a finger typing error not a spelling error. I often hit letters in the incorrect order (just comes out jsut all the time).
I am used to forums that allow you to edit your comments in order to correct finger errors.
We all make mistakes when we are typing. Most of us have gotten used to having spellcheck while typing.
Even principals are allowed to be human and make those mistakes. I actually like it when others make mistakes, as I don’t feel quite so inferior to those that should be considered my peers.
I hope I didn’t step on your toes last night regarding boundary waivers. Also, hoping that my opinions have not affected the possible professional relationship.
Bam…. I respect how outspoken you are.
I must have missed your comments… I didn’t see any that I should take any offense about.
I excuse and forgive typing mistakes in blogs and personal letters and notes. But I don’t forgive them in any legal documents. There is no excuse for this. In this day and age where nearly everybody has spell check and all sorts of other options there is not excuse. Yet I find mistakes all the time in the simplest documents. And don’t even get me started on the mistakes that the Journal Star makes daily. I was a proofreader for the L.A.Times for years and we would have been fire for half the stuff that the Journal Star does now.