As a concerned parent and watchdog of the San Francisco Unified School District, Laurence Lee has uncovered troubling issues with how the district spends taxpayer dollars meant for improving our schools. From a lack of oversight allowing for potential misuse of $744 million to misleading the public to obtain $280 million in bonds, to arbitrary facility decisions and massive cost overruns, it is clear the district has failed to be good stewards of public money.
Audits meant to provide accountability have been delayed for years, while playgrounds and buildings receive upgrades, basic questions remain about whether funds are being spent as intended. When one school saw over 25% in “change orders,” it suggested poor planning and misplaced priorities. With so much wasted on overruns, fewer schools receive needed renovations than promised, forcing voters to approve even more bonds.
The examples of half a million dollars for a five-page report with no community input, and $14 million to fix a broken payroll system, show a disturbing pattern of wasteful consultant spending. At a time when teachers resort to GoFundMe and families consider leaving the district, such “absurd” expenditures undermine public trust.
Our children deserve so much better. As Lee argues, lack of oversight and accountability are boiling the proverbial frog, with devastating impacts on students and families. The district must institute real transparency and responsible stewardship of public monies if it hopes to regain community support and trust. Our kids’ futures are too important to allow this financial mismanagement to continue.
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