'You failed at your jobs:' Brockton parents tear into school board over deficit
BROCKTON — Mayor Robert Sullivan told a large crowd at Wednesday night's fiery School Committee meeting that he first learned of a $14.4 million deficit in last year's school budget nearly a month ago, on Aug. 8 — and outlined the steps he's taken since to address the gaping budget hole.
"We're here to listen and learn from each and every one of you," he told a room nearly full of Brockton parents, residents and community organizers at Brockton High School's Little Theater
Wednesday's tense meeting, after which Brockton School Committee member Tony Rodrigues was shoved by an attendee, marked the first time the public could address the committee after they announced last school year's budget was overspent by $14.4 million, and Superintendent Mike Thomas would take an extended medical leave.
"I was outraged, I was shocked when I found out," said Sullivan, who is also chair of the school committee.
Emotions run high as audience members speak out
Many attendees took to the podium to express their frustration and concern about the deficit, Thomas' absence and the committee's role in the overspending.
"This is a modern-day lynching for Mike Thomas," said Denise Baker-Inegbenebo, a Brockton resident who spoke at the meeting.
At Wednesday night's meeting, Sullivan said he learned about the deficit from the school district's Chief Financial Officer Aldo Petronio on Aug. 8. And the School Committee was informed at their Aug. 15 meeting, Sullivan said. Sullivan also said Petronio was placed on administrative leave on Friday, Sept. 1, as was the deputy Financial Officer Chris Correia
"We're telling you that you failed at your jobs," said Mayoral candidate John Williams. "You had the chance to watch over our money and you failed."
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Audience members want public involvement in audit selection process
The School Committee voted at an emergency meeting on Friday, Sept. 1 to hire a third-party, independent entity to investigate how the money was overspent, which will be selected by Sullivan, Committee Vice-Chair Kathleen Ehlers and two other committee members.
Many attendees called for a team of Brockton community members to select who will perform the audit, and at least eight community groups, including Brockton Interfaith Community and the Collaborative Parent Leadership Action Network, joined a coalition to aid in the investigation.
"We are not making an accusations," said Michaela Lauture, founder of Youth School of Liberation and parent of two BPS students. "We need to be the community we keep saying we want. We are ready to be that community."
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All members of the committee spoke about the budget deficit, most saying they were surprised by the news and understood the public's emotions toward the board.
"We, too, were surprised and dismayed," said Ehlers at the start of the meeting. "We share your emotions."
After discovering the deficit, Sullivan said he contacted local and state officials to help the city and school district work through the deficit and he will launch a second audit into the budget shortfall funded by the city of Brockton separate from the school district's investigation.
"In my view you can never have too many audits," he said.
What steps has the city taken in response to deficit?
In a statement sent after the meeting, Sullivan outlined the steps taken so far in response to the deficit:
"At my direction, the City’s Chief Financial Officer has expanded his system of oversight and budget management to include the School Department. This action will monitor all expenditures of funds and a review of all contracts," the statement said.
"I have spoken to the Lieutenant Governor, apprised her of the situation, and she has provided the city advice and support," Sullivan said.
"I have reached out and engaged with the MA State Auditor and the MA Inspector General to seek their assistance, and guidance," he said.
"The city is working with the Department of Revenue to assist us in finding solutions to our immediate budgetary needs," he said.
"It's what we do now that will make a lasting impact," Sullivan said at the meeting.
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Confrontation between committee member and audience member
Tensions boiled over as Assistant Superintendent Sharon Wolder spoke about the first day of the new school year, which had ended just a few hours prior to the meeting, when Rodrigues turned to a heckling audience member to reprimand him.
As soon as the meeting closed, the man shoved Rodrigues and was escorted by police to his car but was not arrested.
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When is the next school committee meeting?
The next public meeting will be held on Wednesday Sept. 20 in the high school's Little Theater.
"We are definitely listening to you," Sullivan said. "We are going to continue to be transparent."
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton Public School parents angry over deficit
