Rick Mills, Superintendent of Manatee County Schools, says now that he’s been able to repair the district’s budget woes, he wants to hold those responsible for the problems accountable.
Mills, who has been in his position for a year, said former Superintendent Tim McGonegal and his staff overspent their budget by more than $38 million over a five year period.
“I really feel that it’s atrocious what’s happened in this school district,” said Mills. “When you look at the 38-million dollars that’s been overspent over the past four to five years and the $10 million in questionable findings and costs, you’re talking about close to $50 million.”
Mills said in response to constantly being asked who should be responsible for the district’s financial mess, he has decided to push for an investigation.
This week, he sent a formal request to the Florida Inspector General’s Office, to conduct an investigation into the financial practices and activities of the district’s senior leadership team from 2010 to 2012.
“People want answers and they deserve answers,” said Mills.
Former Superintendent, Dr. Tim McGonegal, said he thinks this request is ridiculous.
“This issue is long gone,” said McGonegal. “I left 18 months ago, they had a forensic audit, it explained the budget issues, I think it’s a dead issue.”
McGonegal said when he learned of the budget problems, he also tried to figure out what went wrong.
He said he was very disappointed in how everything turned out. As a result, he left his job.
“I think I did what I could,” said McGonegal. “I tried to find out what had happened and explained it as well as I could. I resigned. I could have fought for my job, but that wouldn’t been good for anybody.”
McGonegal said, if there is an investigation, he will participate.
“I’ll be glad to participate and cooperate however I can,” he said.
On Friday, Julie Aranibar, Chair of the Manatee County School Board, also sent a letter to the Florida Inspector General’s Office, asking for an investigation.
School board members and Mills, said they do not suspect criminal activity for financial accounts. They said audits back this up.
However, they both feel the issues of malfeasance or misfeasance of financial matters of the school district, have not been addressed.
It’s up to the Florida Inspector General’s Office whether or not to conduct the investigation, but there is no word on when they’ll make a decision.
Mills said despite the past budget woes, he’s projecting a balanced budget for the 2014-2015 school year with a positive fund balance.