The DISD Auditor Report should be back in the news shortly. An affidavit was filed by a former employee of a local construction firm stating that there were both significant and intentional cost issues to projects discussed in the DISD Audit Report of Steven Martin, but additionally several Dallas ISD Trustees including two former members were receiving payments and benefits including Dallas Cowboys game tickets for their support of project procurement practices.
The affidavit was filed with the US Attorney’s Office in Dallas. They would have jurisdiction over federal taxpayer dollars being lost due to fraud, waste, or abuse.
This should be the second report received on the topic by federal authorities. Trustee Dustin Marshall claimed to have sent similar information to the FBI in February 2020. He has not responded to a request for tracking or other confirmatory information on his submission.
One former Dallas ISD employee familiar with school leadership commented “wow.”
A second person said “this has been going on for years and no one does anything. We saw financial problems when Hinojosa was here before, it continued with [Mike] Miles. Why is anyone surprised?”
Dallas ISD officials’ focus has shifted to battling COVID19 as district numbers have tripled since they re-opened hybrid school on Monday, but this would be a major financial setback for the DISD who has struggled with getting students to return to campus and generate enthusiasm for a $3.7B bond package given ongoing issues with Dallas ISD procurement policies.
In September, the Texas Education Agency took over Desoto schools after travel procurement issues were found to have cost taxpayers more than $400,000. It is not clear how far and wide this scandal might spread.
DISD Auditor Report
The DISD Auditor Report has left more questions than answers. Dallas ISD staff including interim Chief Internal Auditor Alan King have not responded to multiple email requests for comment.
Eight years ago local news reported on what was then a rough start to the school year for Dallas ISD and this year has been worse. King is described then as leading the district in the “aftermath of former Superintendent Michael Hinojosa’s departure last year” was resigning from the district for the first time then.
King served as Chief Financial Officer from January to June of 2011, when he was elevated to interim superintendent. Most considered King a success as both CFO and Interim Superintendent. Hwas described “as the perfect fit for an interim boss role: pragmatic, straight-forward, no-nonsense.”
Board of Trustees President Justin Henry and 1st Vice President Dan Micciche have not responded to emails for comment either.
Multiple whistleblowers reported problems with Dallas ISD procurement. To date they have all been terminated, asked to resign, or forced out of their positions. An example includes Zachariah Manning who alleged criminal activity as far back as 2016.
Recently Next Generation Action Network’s Dominique Alexander was highly critical of Dallas ISD officials for ending a contract for Thomas Jefferson High School’s rebuild in a Facebook Live video.
Maxie Johnson in a Board of Trustees meeting used words like forgery and the term corruption has been used since by Dallas ISD cheer captain, the Dallas Morning News.
From the Dallas Morning News editorial: “This could not come at a worse time for DISD. The board just approved placing its largest bond package ever before voters in November. The $3.2 billion request is really a vote of confidence in whether Hinojosa’s administration and whatever follows it can effectively manage a huge number of construction projects over a long period of time.”
In additionally to current allegations, Dallas ISD’s audit webpage no longer includes reports from Steven Martin. They are attached below. Dallas ISD has also not responded to Public Information Requests since March 2020 citing disaster declarations surrounding COVID19 as reasons to not respond. Dallas ISD operations have been in operation since August 2020.
DISD certainly giving students an ejamication in how the adult world works.
Admins and trustees should be soo proud.
Very useful theme, appreciate it for publishing posts.