If we were to translate the results of the state audit of Morgan
Hill School District
’s dealings with Jacobs Facilities, the company that was
responsible for several construction and renovation projects, into
a letter grade, we’d give the district a ‘D-minus.’ The audit by
the state’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team found no
criminal activity (that grade would
be an ‘F’) but did find “ordinary negligence” on the part of
school district administrators.
If we were to translate the results of the state audit of Morgan Hill School District’s dealings with Jacobs Facilities, the company that was responsible for several construction and renovation projects, into a letter grade, we’d give the district a ‘D-minus.’
The audit by the state’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team found no criminal activity (that grade would be an ‘F’) but did find “ordinary negligence” on the part of school district administrators. That’s not nearly good enough for the citizens and students in Morgan Hill, especially given the pay increases and longevity bonuses district administrators were pocketing while only performing to an “ordinary negligence” level on their jobs.
It’s disgusting. Just the fact that the audit was needed puts officials means district administrators deserve, at best, a ‘D.’
But School Board members and district administrators are teetering toward an ‘F,’ in our judgment with their disappointing reaction to FCMAT’s report. Instead of self-reproach and action, we’re seeing relief and inertia
We guess relief is understandable when one learns indictments aren’t on the way, but a little embarrassment that administrators and trustees let the situation get to this shameful state is most definitely in order. But even more important than contrition is movement to correct the situation – and we’re appalled that it’s not happening, posthaste.
FCMAT’s report included many recommendations for the school district to implement that should ensure that the waste of millions of dollars of taxpayer money never happens again.
While in her official district response, Superintendent Carolyn McKennan said the district is “already doing” some of the recommendations, no specifics were mentioned. Trustees should demand a more complete explanation, a point-by-point review of each recommendation, what the district is doing or plans to do, or why it is not appropriate for our district.
Despite the millions of dollars in cost overruns on construction and renovation projects, despite a recent pay out of $500,000 to Jacobs to settle a lawsuit, and despite the damning judgment of “ordinary negligence,” the school board has yet to place the FCMAT report on its agenda or schedule a study session to delve into its recommendations.
Is it any wonder that parents and taxpayers of this school district have lost faith in this administration and this school board?
Studying the problems raised in this report and implementing solutions ought to be trustees’ top priority. It could be a first step on the long road to restoring the public’s faith in the district administrators’ ability to handle taxpayer dollars and in trustees’ willingness to question employees, require accurate answers from administrators and make wise and difficult decisions.
In short, it’s a chance for administrators to demonstrate competence and trustees to demonstrate leadership.
Failure to seize this opportunity will have dire and long-term repercussions for the students and taxpayers of the Morgan Hill School District. We can’t afford any more shamefully low grades for our district officials.
