A member of the Board of Finance wants the town to create a Citizens Audit Committee to keep an eye on the Board of Education’s purse strings.
Richard Burke said he is exasperated with the Board of Education crying “poor” each year and then ending up with a surplus.
“Superintendent of Schools Judith Palmer has sent letters to the finance board threatening to shut down sports and other school programs only to have money left over each year,” he said.
Palmer could not be reached for comment.
Burke has been in contact with Armand Fusco about enlisting Fusco’s help to create a Citizens Audit Committee in Oxford.
Fusco is the former superintendent of the Branford school district and a former professor at the University of Bridgeport.
He is the author of “Ending Corruption and Waste in Your Public School,” a 17-page report published in 2007 by the Yankee Institute for Public Policy. Download the report here.
Burke said he “liked what he heard” after attending a lecture by Fusco.
Fusco has trained and organized citizen audit committees in 10 towns across the state at no cost to the municipalities.
The committees often ask for a look into the books of their local school board — to various degrees of cooperation, according to a Sept. 2 report from the CT Post (this link to the Post story is temporary).
According to Fusco, town’s benefit from the citizen committees because it is a permanent group of volunteers, unlike formal audits, which are one-time events and do not focus on waste and mismanagement.
“Audits generally don’t always look in the areas that need the most attention,” he said.
Fusco said two common areas of concern: funds related to student activities and funds related to employee reimbursements.
“If you look you can find all kinds of waste in those areas,” he said.
Oxford Board of Education member Jerry Schwab had no opinion on a Citizens Audit Committee, saying his has not discussed the idea.
However, Schwab said the board has an open-door policy in regard to public records — and does not issue credit cards to school administrators or staff.
Schwab did say it appears the Oxford Board of Finance finance board is pursuing the action autonomously.
“Hopefully the BOF will reach out,” he said. “They cannot operate in a vacuum.”
First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said there is a system already in place that addresses the school budget, noting annual audits and monthly expense reports presented at board meetings.
She added that a presentation by Fusco would be welcomed, but believes the Boards of Finance and Education are already doing the job.
“We have a group that fits the bill,” she said.
The Board of Finance is scheduled to discuss Dr. Fusco at its next meeting, scheduled for Sept. 28.
Board of Education Chairman John Degennaro would not comment.
If this route is chosen, the panel should consist of bipartisan members. Burke, Ferrillo, and Kelly regularly use their seats as a forum for their political agenda. Perhaps this citizen group should audit the finance board also.
A citizen’s audit committee is a great idea and I appreciate the Finance Board transparency. I do find it ironic that the First Selectman states “We will have a group that fits the bill.” What is she talking about wouldn’t this be a citizens group or is she going to hand pick the members like she did when she appointed four of the members of the current Education Board. If she picks a group that will in any way reveille problems it will reflect directly on her. Mr. Schwab on of the First Selectman’s appointed members of the Board of Education should not be talking about operating in a vacuum. He as the Education Finance Board Chair removed approval of spending from the Education Boards agenda not to mention reports of his recent drug related arrest. The citizens should be represented not political interests. A citizen’s committee belongs to us the tax payers.
I have to say that Mr. Happy has been misinformed about this planned citizen’s audit committee. It is again an attempt to attack the BOE. There was no attempt to take away approval of spending by the board. Check the minutes and see for yourself. The spending has already occurred and it appears to me by reading the subcommittee and board minutes that the spending is reviewed. I believe that any BOE member can ask questions of the spending.
There have been other members of board that have faced charges. Some have even been pleaded guilty and been placed on probation. However, we seem to forget that. Why? Witch hunt? Politics?
The members of the BOE are there for the right reasons, the education of Oxford kids. The four appointees of the BOE have attended more meetings that those who have been elected. Check the minutes. The three of the four appointees were placed in position after 3 members who were ELECTED quit. Rather than stay and fight for what they believed it.
The BOF wanted a special audit. Certain members found that they could not control it. So then they came up with this plan.
Don’t think this citizen’s audit committee is not a political action. The BOF needs to change the way it operates and work with departments and the BOE to improve the relationship and maybe that would be better for the citizens of Oxford. Remember change is a good thing.
Why is there a problem with the Board of Finance? It appears balanced and appears to be doing a good job. The past two budgets it put forward passed on the first referendum. I know the First Selectman is taking credit for that but check the charter. She takes credit for a lot she has done little to contribute to.
As far as the Board of Education it is comical to watch members read the scripted motions that the Superintendant wrote for them. As if they do not have any thoughts or input of their own. They behave like the good little puppets they are. Sit back do as you’re told and let Judy and Mary Ann run things.
Mr. Happy…the BOF is almost the same as it has been the last 4 years, so if the BOS has nothing to do with it and it is only the BOF, then explain 3 and 4 years ago when Palmer and Haversat were in office. The current administration, unlike the past, has actually done their job and forwarded the BOF a realistic and affordable budget! That is fact!
Once again read the charter. The education budget which has been the one that historically was unrealistic and had to be cut has nothing to do with the Selectman. The Selectmen have no say on the education budget. The only reason it has become more realistic is because the passing of the split budget. And even now the Board of Education is spending their (No I mean Our) Money carelessly. Look at what they did to class sizes and CMTs this year.
I heard that the CMT scores have improved.
I also hear that class sizes are a bit higher. Two more kids in some classes.
Other district are also struggling with the size of classes. Oxford is not alone.
Mr. Happy…once again, you are missing the point which you made…you said “It (BOF) appears balanced and appears to be doing a good job. The past two budgets it put forward passed on the first referendum.”
You also said “The education budget which has been the one that historically was unrealistic and had to be cut has nothing to do with the Selectman.”
What is the difference between three and fours ago and now? The difference is the Board of Selectman! The CURRENT BOS sent a realistic and affordable budget to the BOF. The BOF didn’t even cut the BOE budget a dime this year!
Three to four years ago under Palmer and Haversat, the BOS was playing games with the budget, what does that say about leadership? It took up to 6 times to pass a buget in one year and the current administration got 2 budgets passed on the first try because they approached it professionally and were not playing games! The BOF didn’t even cut the BOE budget a dime this year!
What this says to me is that the BOS is doing a great job, they are working closely with the BOF and the BOE and each is responding to the BOS’s requests for affordable and realistic budgets, unlike the past failures under Palmer and Haversat. That is fact!
You are Crazy in Oxford