Grand Jury Finds No Fault With ABC Schools

Concluding a seven-month investigation without finding any mismanagement in the ABC Unified School District, a Los Angeles County Grand Jury has told a group of dissident parents that the appropriate forum for its complaints about the district is the ballot box.

The investigation was launched in August after the four parents wrote to the grand jury listing a variety of alleged financial improprieties by the school district, as well as complaints about deficit spending.

Noting that it had spent considerable time reviewing the charges, the grand jury responded to the parents group this month. The grand jury concluded that either there was no proof of wrongdoing, the allegations were outdated and undocumented, or they were a political matter and thus outside the jury’s authority.

“This committee cannot spend more time and money in the investigation of a complaint whose resolution, we believe, lies in the ballot box,” said the letter from the grand jury.

Third Audit Since August

It is the third audit or investigation to turn up no improprieties in the school district’s operation since August. All were done after pressure from parents.

“I hope we can move on to other areas, like education. That’s what I’m trained in,” said Supt. Kenneth L. Moffett, who became superintendent in August.

Though the grand jury found no wrongdoing, it did suggest to the district in a Dec. 11 letter that it improve input and communication with parents, and discussed “cooperating with parents and community members to promote greater trust.” It also recommended that the district set up an advisory committee to give advice on the sale of surplus property, and that the district seek appraisals for such sales.

“What do we have to do, bring them a dead body before they respond?” asked George Medina, one of four parents who requested the investigation in August.

“They are just reaffirming what we already knew--that we have to elect new board members,” said Medina, who is a candidate in the Nov. 3 school district election. Four members are up for reelection.

They are Board President Elizabeth Hutcheson, Dianne Xitco, Richard Arthur and Homer Lewis.

‘Delighted’ at the Results

Board member Peggy Lee said she was “delighted” at the results. “I never thought for a minute we did anything illegal. I hope it (dispute with the parents’) is over,” Lee said.

Like Medina, the three other parents--Dixie Primosch, Jim Weisenberger and Wendy Strong--said their efforts were worthwhile.

The group’s Aug. 11 letter, requesting the investigation, had listed eight general problem areas.

They charged that the district: had a consistent pattern of deficit spending yet had constantly increased salaries; submitted inaccurate financial information to comply with state requirements; ignored the public’s request for information regarding district property; continued to use lottery funds to balance the budget contrary to the board’s directives, and violated board policies on nepotism.

Not Within Its Scope

The grand jury replied on March 19 that budget matters such as salary increases, deficit spending and the use of lottery money is not within its authority.

It said that allegations of theft and misappropriations were outdated, undocumented and in some cases based on hearsay.

Charges of violations of the Fair Political Practices Act and the Brown Act were rejected by the Los Angeles County district attorney, the letter also stated.

In spite of the grand jury’s lack of action, Primosch said she was encouraged because the grand jury had written Moffett in December directing him to implement the changes in management the parents had sought.

Moffett said the grand jury’s recommendations are being followed, and he had set up an advisory committee on surplus property that includes parents.