MIAMI – As soon as again, Broward Faculties is beneath a microscope.
Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata alerted board customers of an forthcoming condition audit in a February 1st memo. It’s just one we acquired via several sources.
The Florida Division of Education inspector normal will take a look at the district’s dealing with of the 2014 tax-payer-authorised $800 million project to deal with educational facilities, termed the Smart bond. The point out will overview 2014 through 2022.
Licata’s memo says the audit will look at “intentional or willful steps” to go the bond “with inadequate or deceptive info.” It will also examine District employees “liable for the roofing problems.” The memo did not identify a goal of the investigation, only expressing it is not an individual the district employs at the moment. It will also study the severance deals of three former staff members from 2023.
Board member Torey Alston welcomes the near search.
“It is really a great software to determine the existing point out,” shared Alston.
Alston was appointed to the board by Governor Ron DeSantis soon after a 2022 condition grand jury report located mismanagement in the Wise Bond Program. The report outlined price will increase, undertaking delays, and building issues.
“Most of it, even though it has been addressed, there are nonetheless some troubles that nonetheless carry above from the previous,” additional Alston.
Our impartial investigation final September discovered the district used much less pounds on concluded mend jobs in schools with a better share of reduced-cash flow young children.
Peter Turso’s daughter attends one particular of those people educational facilities initially still left driving.
We very first fulfilled Peter previous 12 months outdoors Crystal Lake Middle, the place his daughter goes to college. Here’s what he said about the difficulties today.
“We need to do every thing to have a culture of transparency because, ultimately, it’s a single of the critical areas that is heading to reinstall the have confidence in in our communities,” said Turso.
Turso also serves on the district’s audit committee. He appears to be forward to examining the findings.
“I am extremely keen to see what we unearthed,” additional Turso. And a lot more importantly, I hope that this opens a door in direction of empowering the audit committee to dig further over and above this just one investigation.”
“If you request any mother or father, any group group: Are you 100% content today with Broward County Public Educational institutions, if you find five persons to say indeed, you’d be a millionaire,” claimed Alston. “Speaks to the difficulties.”
We did ask for to communicate with Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata about the approaching audit. – His office environment declined our interview ask for but informed us Licata will fully cooperate with this audit, which he claims should just take place in the up coming handful of months.
