Who Then Is Accountable?
Budgetgate--Who knew and when did they know?
Official documents prepared by officials of the Los Angeles County Office of Education made public March 18 leave tainted the credibility of statements by Antelope Valley Union High School District administrative officials that the district did not have knowledge of the impending $6-million deficit.
In fact, the documents indicate “a potential negative position as high as $14.6 million may be realized by the end of the fiscal year.”
Beginning as early as August, 1990, the office of education repeatedly warned district officials of budgetary indiscretions, impending budget deficits and the need to rebuild the district’s reserve.
Where is accountability? The administrative staff is quick to apply tests of character, accountability and competence to its teaching staff. What about the administration? Surely one of the major responsibilities of an administrative official, especially the chief executive officer of the district, and of the board of education, is to keep abreast of the district’s financial status.
DARWIN M. OCHS, Lancaster
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