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A cost report for a capital project during the 2011-2012 academic year was never submitted to the state, which could cost the district $4 million in the long run, according to an Examiner report. Several projects were completed that year, though a previous administration’s mistakes may cost the current administration and students millions.
The gaffe was reportedly discovered last year, when an administrator noticed that eight projects totaling $11 million was never submitted to state officials in 2012. Because that deadline was missed, the district may have to pay back more than $3 million and will lose out on nearly $3 million in aid it's supposed to receive.
According to the report, local and state lawmakers are working hard to pass legislation that would allow the state to waive the penalties. Legislation has been introduced, which is currently in the hands of the finance committee.
“There’s no reason to penalize a school district, its students and taxpayers so severely with a state aid take back for filing errors made by a former administration,” Sen. Peter Harckham, who introduced the legislation, said in a statement.
The report said that other districts have been in similar quandaries, with mixed results regarding emergency legislation.
This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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