At the end of our Access Tucson TV show, Education: The Rest of the Story, Ann-Eve Pedersen and I have a short discussion of the ups and downs, pros and cons of TUSD’s newly created Internal Auditor position.
This article appears in Apr 30 – May 6, 2015.
Speaking of a “white wash,” that’s exactly what this video provides.
For a better discussion of the issues than what is given here, consult these pieces:
TUSD Audit committee member Chuck Kill: http://tucson.com/news/opinion/column/guest/tusd-volunteer-district-residency-requirement-among-red-flags/article_690f81f3-b6cc-5443-8427-72e352b8fb28.html
TUSD Audit committee chair Jim Lovelace: http://tucson.com/news/opinion/column/guest/time-for-tusd-to-stop-making-unforced-errors/article_6293e564-8228-587b-aed1-4051d3d35d70.html
And here is the letter from Betts Putnam-Hidalgo published recently in the Star, that addresses some of the many problems with how the internal auditor position has been framed by Sanchez:
“TUSD needs an auditor, not a puppet. Re: the April 26 editorial ‘TUSD is finally set to make internal auditor a reality.’
Thanks to the Star for following this very important issue. However, I would like to correct a few impressions left by the editorial.
First, the auditor position will not report only to the governing board; it will also report to the superintendent “on administrative matters.” Since much of the disagreement between board members hinges on exactly who this position will report to, that is an important point.
Also, the article failed to mention that the new sitting board member added to the audit committee — along with the district’s CFO — is the president of the board.
H.T. Sanchez’s triumphalism about solving a longstanding problem is stained by the realization that he would only accept such a position after its selection committee was tampered with and rigged. The call has long been for an independent internal auditor, not a puppet whose selection and use can be manipulated by a talented puppet master.
As a district employee and volunteer and two-time candidate for the governing board, I believe Tucson and Tucson Unified School District deserve greater transparency than this.”
As Ms. Putnam-Hidalgo points out, the district is not well-served when its governance and administration play games like this. Nor is it well served when people like Pedersen and Safier provide “coverage” of the issue that avoids mentioning any of the serious problems with what has been proposed — or the serious problems with what was done to the audit committee before it was proposed.
Not really. We are so getting used to it.
What could an internal auditor possibly cover up?
“Pentagon employees are using their government credit cards to gamble and pay for escorts, according to an audit report.”
http://freebeacon.com/issues/pentagon-employees-used-government-credit-cards-for-adult-entertainment/
Misuse of government credit cards is a common problem among federal agencies. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees racked up $192.2 million in potentially “questionable transactions,” sometimes using government cards at bowling alleys and barbershops.
Department of Transportation (DOT) employees have also used their government credit cards for cash advances at casinos and racetracks.
I think Dr. Sanchez walks a thin line between protecting the district against a witch hunt and being willing to show what is going on in the district. He knows how much has been put out there negatively regarding misuse of funds which none of it has yet been found and being willing to say, … come and look. When I look at the strong political powers that want public education gone and will say anything and do anything to make that happen, I think he does a good job. Nationally that is what is happening whether the general populace is aware of that or not.
I noticed that the Tucson Stats website is now closed to the public. How will we find the school climate surveys from parents, students and staff? True transparency.
It is so clear what the board majority and Sanchez are doing here , it is criminal. It is time to fight back. Foster and Juarez can’t expect to be re elected, but maybe that’s the accomplish as much damage as they can before the election. If they are running they will have to distance themselves from Grijalva. This video was a nice propaganda show , but the continued support of Sanchez and the majority in light of some very clear evidence is only hurting the Tucson Weeklys credibility. David I hold no I’ll will against you, but maybe you should stop writing about TUSD, your bias and pro Sanchez, Grijalva stance blinds you from the truth. Why don’t you talk to people like me or Corey Jones and find out what these people are really about.
Brian, if you want to give me thoughts or information, you can email me at mailbag@tucsonweekly.com, and the Weekly will forward it to me. If you want the communication to remain confidential, I will respect your wishes.
TUSD stats is not closed down. The time to fill out the surveys was extended. I didn’t have any problem going there.
That’s great David. Even I appreciate your offer.
Although the new “position” sounds like what a sitting superintendent would usually do, it is understandable because the same toxic pattern is still in place. Hire a new superintendent, then wait and watch. There will be (some type of) outrage followed by a chorus of outcries, followed by flight to somewhere better. The kids don’t matter when politics past and present take over, again and again. Whoever fills this new leadership position will need not only the wisdom of Solomon, but belief and acceptance from all.
In case people missed Rat T’s comment (I always read the beginning of his, and all other comments, though I don’t always make it to the end), he wrote, and I quote in full, “That’s great David. Even I appreciate your offer.”
Let us pause to honor this rare moment of agreement and respect. Lions may, from this moment forward, lie down with lambs, congressional Republicans and Democrats may have moments of bipartisan agreements, and we can look forward to Israelis and Palestinians breaking bread, not heads.
OK, the moment’s over. Time to resume the usual pattern of arguing and sniping. It was fun while it lasted.
David don’t make me regret my attaboy. There are volumes of people that would like the truth about TUSD, and what has been done to it. It sounded as though you were willing to go to work to get it.
I have been here long enough to remember when Tucson had the best rated tap water in the country. Now I brush my teeth with beer.
Why can’t we get any answers?
Amen to the destruction of tap water and TUSD, Rat T. People just don’t seem to care.
Amen to the destruction of tap water and TUSD, Rat T. People just don’t seem to care.