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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

State Audit: Former Bangor Superintendent Paid $142,000 For Consulting Services Never Provided

Eugene DePasquale
A state audit of the Bangor Area School District's finances reveals that its former Superintendent, Patricia Mulroy, was paid $142,000 for consulting services that were never provided. This report, released yesterday, was prepared by State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. It covers the period between August 2011 and May 2014.

In addition to paying for nonexistent consulting services, the school district reported $18,000 of that sum in the Superintendent's retirement package.

When School Directors accepted Mulroy's resignation in 2012, it was conditioned on their willingness to continue paying her $4,808 every two weeks as a "consultant."

DePasquale found that this payment amounted to a "significant noncompliance" with relevant state laws. "[I]t is unclear what benefit, if any, the District received in exchange for the $142,608 it paid to or on behalf of the former Superintendent." He concluded that the Board abandoned its fiduciary responsibility for even entering into this agreement.

In its response, the School District called General DePasquale's conclusions "to be subjective and conjecture."

The Auditor General stated the public is entitled to be made aware of the reasons for agreeing to pay a retiring or former employee for consulting services.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Could this have anything to do with Colton's early resignation? Hmmmm?

Bernie O'Hare said...

It is possible but I don't think so. Colton had stated at the time Mulroy was hired as a consultant that she would be doing curriculum matters,

Anonymous said...

hicks duped again - too funny

Anonymous said...

Yeah but he was on call.

Anonymous said...

Is that the only statement that the school district is going to make?

Anonymous said...

Bernie, you may want to check with your Slate Belt sources. I am sure RA is aware of the relationship between Mulroy and Colton. That could be why she received a "golden parachute" on the way out the door. Colton may have resigned when this started percolating. Who else resigns four months before the end of their term unless it is for health or relocation?

Anonymous said...

When I went to school, things were broken then too, but you had one vice principal for the whole school and if the cops showed up someone was dead, now it seems there is one VP for every grade after sixth and they've become police sub-stations.

School districts are mafia's, from how the money is collected and dispersed, to jobs from the "super" to the janitor. Not one could sustain careful oversight, jobs programs and contracts for those connected are what school district are for, not educating children.

Not all who work there are "the white glove treatment purgers" or "lazy well connected cronies", that would be wrong, after all you have to have enough good people to at least have the appearance of legitimacy. And when those good people talk about issues and they say "it's inside politics" some of us hear that dog whistle.

And that's not saying that kids don't learn, like most of us, our positive experiences boil down to memories of a few dedicated teachers who's moral compass positioned them above the system.

When I read about the narrow focus on this particular theft and district, opening up the lens on the whole system is to tempting, and reminds me of one great teacher (a dime dropper) *enjoy the sunshine* that helped me realize what I wrote above.

Anonymous said...

This is standard Pennsylvania school district operation. Money is irrelevant to these people. Just raise taxes again next year. people are conditioned to it. The school districts are just one big money pit.
School boards dare full of ex school employees or just plain idiots. No one cares.

Anonymous said...

typical and expected from just about every single school district in the country. in the old days the school board was the watch dog for the tax payers. The school board was careful in how the money was spent, allocated and especially when it was time to levy a tax on the community. today the school board members put together pacts with the teachers union to push for candidates. it is disgusting beyond belief. hey Bethlehem this is directed towards you.

Anonymous said...

Jeez, who's the district law firm sleeping at the wheel?

Anonymous said...

put together pacts ..I meant to say PACS...oh ..that public education....

Anonymous said...

Lets take a closer look. When all this went down where was the overpaid Solicitor Mr. Spry? you know the educated legal boy of the class of Bangor '67? He was on a cruise...and doubt on the taxpayers dime from his over billing? Mulroy made in excess of 192K when you add the rest of her benefits to it- CHECK IT OUT!
The Auditor General had a conference meeting a number of weeks ago. EVERY MEMBER of the BANGOR AREA School Board was invited and directed to attend. And I am told ONLY one member showed up! ONLY ONE of NINE?? Cartright was the only one that showed up. You have to be kidding me! The reason why Colton left is very apparent and clear. Mrs. Colton knew the shit was going to hit the fan with this one and as President she masterminded Mulroys departure and Mulroy's nice BIG FAT CHECK on the taxpayers dime. Check and see who voted and even made most the motions for tax increases and you find the candy mans name BUSSENGER right there. You know the guy that sells 100K a year in candy in the principals candy sale? Colton bailed before this report became public to save herself from having to explain this to the public and used a smoke screen of not getting along with Board members. Whoever those Board members are GOOD cause with this going on under Coltons power? No wonder she thought those to challenge her ways was rocking her boat! One Disgusted taxpayer. PS I am glad those rebels brought Angle back!

Anonymous said...

9:31 - thank you for eloquently stating what is going on here and connecting the dots of the timing of the former board president's resignation. PC is no shrinking violet and her claim of resigning with four months leftnon her term because of her colleague's rang hollow then and stinks even worse now. Way to take care of your girl on her way out the door! On the taxpayer's dime, no less.

Anonymous said...

This was common knowledge here when Pat was canned. They still owed her money and they had no legit reason to fire her so they paid her off to keep her quiet about the whole stinking affair. We all know this already. So what else is new at the BASD? Same old crap as always. Angle will make little difference if any. All posturing anyway.

Anonymous said...

Vote these old guys off the board. Brands and Perelli are right for the job. Get rid of the Colton conspirators now.

Anonymous said...

Isn't Angle on this Board?

Bernie O'Hare said...

He was just appointed. As a citizen, he advocated the removal of Mulroy and was opposed to paying for services never rendered.

Matt Miles said...

But, but, but, those Union Thug Teachers wasting my taxpayer dollars! I'm sure there's issues like this in every district...