Wasteful Spending by Fort Cherry School Board?

We had such high hopes for Fort Cherry.

But, recent events show persisting secrecy and questionable decisions made by the board.  Consequently, we have to ask, is the board acting responsibly with our tax dollars?

By now, many of you have read the recent articles concerning FC’s business manager, Paul R. Sroka.

Paul R. Sroka

http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20150116/NEWS01/150119562#.VLpNW4E8KrU

Since October 2014, Sroka has not reported to work at FC, but has taken a position as the interim business manager at Jeannette. 

  

On December 2, 2014, the Tribune Review reported that Jeannette School District hired Sroka as interim business manager at rate of $275 per diem.

http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourjeannette/7281634-74/district-business-contract#axzz3QL4nrjaa 

While Jacoby and board members have kept silent on the reason for Sroka’s departure and the status of his employment at FC, the Observer Reporter was able to obtain confirmation that the district is still paying him as an employee. Even the OR’s choice of title - Mum's the word - signifies the position the Board and Jacoby are taking on informing the public.

And what was the need for that quickly thrown together executive session on the day of the paper’s release (Saturday, January 17)?  At the next scheduled board meeting (January 19), board member Tina Cottrill announced that the executive session had been held on the 17th, citing “personnel” as the reason, but giving no details.

http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20150203/NEWS01/150209864

This blog has reported on the repeated misbehavior of Paul R. Sroka.  We are happy to see that he is no longer working at Fort Cherry School District and is away from our children.

But taxpayers should take issue with the fact that we are still paying Sroka's $80K+ salary as though he is reporting to the district and performing his duties as FC’s business manager.  The board also approved to pay others to perform Sroka’s duties while he is in Jeannette.

At the October 27 meeting, the appointment of a substitute business manager, the appointment of a board secretary, and extended hours for a Title 1 aide to assist in the business office were approved, but Sroka's status was not mentioned.  The substitute business manager is to be paid a salary of $60,000, the board secretary $1750, and the aide, $27,024.98.

  

Fast forward to the February 2, 2015, board meeting - FC’s new auditors, Cottrill, Arbutina & Associates, presented the findings of the annual school audit – the first one performed by Cottrill, Arbutina.

Cottrill, Arbutina pointed out a disturbing lack of control over the electronic fund transfers.  The auditors pointed out that the EFTs are executed by one person with no oversight.  According to the auditors, this is very serious and oversight is needed.

Hmmmm. . 

This August 2012 Fort Cherry American Express corporate credit card statement shows an ACH (electronic fund transfer) payment.  As reported in the Trib, this is the account used by Paul Sroka for unauthorized personal charges.

Separate statements show 38 charges on an American Express card in Sroka's name from July 29 through Sept. 28, 2012, totaling more than $1,900. The balance was paid.

Those statements include:

• Eight charges totaling $330.74 at a Get-Go station on Washington Pike in Bridgeville

• Eleven charges at the Giant Eagle Market District grocery store in Settlers Ridge totaling $417.75.

• Charges at a pizzeria and Wal-Mart in Athens, Ohio, on Sept. 6, 2012, the day Ohio University records show Sroka officiated a football game between the Bobcats and New Mexico State.

• Charges for a trip to Orlando, Fla., from July 26 through Aug. 3, 2012, that included a Payless Car Rental and $277.98 for admission to Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/4755522-74/district-charges-cherry#ixzz3SIpvvPNO 
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Previous superintendent R. Dinnen stated that the account was closed, but was the board ever given proof that district funds were not used to pay for the unauthorized personal charges incurred?

Without oversight, would it not be easy for someone in charge of the finances of the district (like the Business Manager) to electronically transfer district funds to whomever  . . . ?  

Back in 2012, under Dinnen, Sroka was not fired for his unauthorized use of the district’s corporate credit card, but maybe it finally caught up to him. . .

Whatever prompted Sroka’s departure from the district, FC taxpayers should not be forced to continue to pay his $80K+ salary, especially without knowledge of why district funds are paying him to NOT report to work.

Over the past several months the board has spent money on many heretofore unforeseen, but necessary, repairs to the campus buildings and grounds. It also has plans for future improvements and needs additional money for PSERS.

This all comes at a cost to taxpayers, of course.

Additional tax increases are coming. This is necessary if it improves the facilities and education at Fort Cherry.  But, if the past is any indication, will additional money flowing into the district simply go toward funding the administration?

Since the beginning of FC’s calendar year on July 1, 2014, the board approved the following administrative expenditures even though they are not in the budget :

• An $80,000 payout to Dinnen.  It was obvious at the July meeting that this was not anticipated by board members, as board members questioned the “unexpected expense”. 

Taxes were increased 2.5%.  The public was told the increase was necessary to fund the bond payment.  However, Dinnen’s payout alone is the equivalent of approximately 2 mils of that tax increase. 

• A payout to the previous Facilities Manager.  The board has not publicly acknowledged his leaving or the terms of his contract buyout.  An interim Director of Maintenance was approved at the October 2014 meeting:

“Mrs. Errett made a motion, which was seconded by Mrs. McKay

that the Board approve Jason Dorsch as the interim Director of

Maintenance at a salary of $51,400. Motion passed unanimously.”

Theoretically, that buyout could very well have used up the rest of the funds generated by the increased millage.

• A generous 5-year, $114,000 contract for Jacoby.  This was unanimously approved even though the State Auditor General recommends a maximum 3-year contract for new superintendents (in case the contract must be bought out).  See Superintendent contract:   http://www.fortcherry.org/Page/9  

And now, the board is working on a severance agreement with Paul Sroka. 

The school auditors informed the board the district went over its administrative budget last year.  According to the auditors, doing so is against state law. What impact will Sroka’s severance agreement have on the administrative budget this year?  Now that the board has officially heard from its auditors that the district must spend within its budget constraints, will they heed the auditors warning? 

So, how will the board pay for all the above unexpected expenditures?

With so much money being spent on administrative buyouts, contracts, and administrative Act 93 perks, what does that leave for the education of our children?  

The district is supposed to be in the business of educating our children, NOT furthering the education and financial status of the administrators.

This board seems very comfortable appeasing the administration.  We all know that truth, honor, and integrity went out the window a long time ago.  Have they also lost sight of “Student Success is our #1 Priority”?