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Employee who OK'd contracts with theater accused of conflict of interest
By John Higgins
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Apr 15, 2009
Akron Public Schools should not have allowed the coordinator of an after-school program to do business with Weathervane Community Playhouse while serving on Weathervane's board of trustees, according to a financial audit of Akron Public Schools.
The audit, released Tuesday by state Auditor Mary Taylor, covering the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2008, says district employee Desiree Bolden entered into contracts with Weathervane on behalf of Akron Public Schools for enrichment activities and approved $117,967 in payments.
That's a violation of Ohio's conflict of interest policy, which forbids public officials from securing contracts in which they or their families have an interest, according to the audit.
Unpaid trustees and officers of a nonprofit corporation have a fiduciary interest in the contracts of the corporation, according to an opinion the auditor cited. Weathervane's Web site lists several officers and 19 trustees.
The audit recommends that the district correct the matter, which the auditor will refer to the Ohio Ethics Commission.
Bolden could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Calls to Superintendent David James were not returned.
The audit also criticizes the district for approving payment of bills totaling $105,535 to Weathervane and $17,740 to Buckeye Digital that ''lacked supporting detailed invoices and should not have been approved for payment as presented.''
The district's written response to the audit indicates that Bolden has resigned as a trustee of Weathervane.
The district also said the after-school program sites will keep vendor sign-in sheets to verify dates of service and the number of instructors present.
''Invoices from vendors will no longer be altered or changed, and they will no longer be prepared on forms supplied by the After-School Department. Invoices will be generated by each vendor on the vendor's invoice forms and/or letterhead,'' according to the district's written response.
The program serves 1,800 kids at 11 elementary schools between 2:30 and 5 p.m. The first hour and a half, students considered ''at risk'' academically get math and reading help.
The final hour is devoted to enrichment activities that include tennis, golf, theater, music, dance, art and science — all provided through contracts with 80 local organizations and institutions, including Weathervane.
The city contributes seed money — $190,000 last year — to help secure federal grants and other support totaling more than $1 million this year.
Research conducted by Kent State University on the program shows improved math and reading scores for participants, making Akron's program a statewide model, according to the Ohio Department of Education and organizations supporting after-school programs.
John Higgins can be reached at 330-996-3792 or jhiggins@thebeaconjournal.com.
Akron Public Schools should not have allowed the coordinator of an after-school program to do business with Weathervane Community Playhouse while serving on Weathervane's board of trustees, according to a financial audit of Akron Public Schools.
Get the full article here.
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