City School Board Deficiencies & Failures

It wasn’t for the faint of heart. It was words that needed to be said and heard in hopes that mistakes made by a school board or any school board in America would not happen again. But at a school board meeting on November 14, 2023, Monroe City Schools Board members and the public heard the results from findings of Investigators of the South, a firm hired by the board to investigate the activities concerning Superintendent Brent Vidrine. It was a long-awaited report that was scathing in detail about the shortcomings in how the system as a whole has been deficient in its finances and even contract handling with incoming superintendents, according to the investigation findings. The findings revealed there were “deficiencies and significant failures” in virtually every level of authority of MCSB within the school board, superintendent, chief financial officer, general counsel, and central office staff. Board members could only sit in silence as they heard about a system that needed to hear about things that should be identified, one of them doing a comprehensive audit “as soon as possible” even though the firm wasn’t hired to do one. Board members were advised to adopt Operational Policies and Practices that specifically eliminate blanket authority over various aspects of school board operations. The report of the finding revealed that the board “is part” of the problem, as whoever the next superintendent is should have an outlet by creating a committee of the entire school board to address issues the superintendent may have in the operations of their duties, as well as problems the board may have with how the superintendent performs those duties. The board “should adopt and enforce” a code of ethics to identify honesty, integrity, character, and morals that have to be performed by all employees, including the superintendent. But the findings also recommend that the board, when it comes to payroll to prevent any errors by employees, that the superintendent not be permitted to be the sole approval of his compensation package. Other recommendations suggest that such compensation be written by the superintendent and the Director of Human Resources and Chief Finance Officer before it is entered into the payroll system, not after. As far as other employees are concerned, the findings suggest a second set of eyes be utilized to reduce errors that may be made. Perhaps the biggest shock to those listening in the audience was that the 2018 contract for Vidrine was never actually approved by the school board. That revelation drew some noticeable gasps from the audience. The contract was never brought back to the board for final approval. At that time, the board was not comprised of the current board members. The findings revealed that some contracts were signed before approval. Other deficiencies found in contracts should be made known to the public when the findings are made known to the general public for its own consumption of what transpired on the current and past boards. But it appeared to be clear that the current board will be under scrutiny to follow the recommendations of the findings, even as some questions posed before the board came from a past board member who Board President Bill Willson said was complicit in some of those former contract approvals. The big question now becomes what will be the final outcome concerning the former superintendent. It appears that errors were made concerning the 2018 contract and how the current board will move forward. One thing to consider is ensuring employees are accurately paid in the payroll system. Monroe Federation of Teachers Union President Sandie Lollie made a passionate plea to board members after thanking the representative for his presentation, saying that she could look at an employee’s paycheck and see how it is not matching up after asking for audits that were turned down. She said that her requests were “pushed under the table.”

“It is wrong,” said Lollie, “our children deserve more, our employees do not make enough, they are suffering, and to see a check coming in with different amounts, where does that money go?”

Board member Jennifer Haneline acknowledged Lollie’s comments, as Willson reminded the audience that the issue raised by Lollie was never adequately addressed by previous boards. The board members have their work cut out for them, even as they tried to defend their actions compared to previous boards. How long have these deficiencies and significant failures been going on for 10 + years, while Southside school students struggle with basic reading skills, overcrowded classrooms, and no psychological counseling? While young adult (14-27) shootings skyrocket. Does anyone care about the students?