A report from October of 2019 details some very poor accounting procedures and questionable behavior in handling of tens of thousands of dollars in student activity funds.
The report has been a well kept secret at the Hartford Schools for over a year. I had requested the report though a Freedom of Information request from the Hartford Schools Executive Director of Finance Maureen Colman when I was first made aware of the report. The Hartford Schools have been less than transparent and as of this date, they have not provided a copy of the report. Fortunately, I was able to obtain a copy of the report through "alternative means".
A quick review of the report will answer the question as to why they refused to release it. The report documents one incident after another of shoddy practices and suspicious behavior in handling student funds from the activities account at Bulkeley High School. Although the report does not identify any one individual, sources have told me that an employee responsible for the mishandling has been terminated.
The report details as much as $35,000 in discrepancies in the listed balance on the account. There is no mention of any attempts to recover the unaccounted for funds or any referral to the Hartford Police Department for an investigation.
For several years, the Hartford Internal Audit Commission has been pushing for these and other Hartford School's Accounts to be entered on MUNIS, the City's accounting program. Apparently the Board has refused those requests and the funds are still maintained in secrecy with open opportunities for mishandling and criminal intentions.
This report should show why the change is needed to prevent further loss or thefts of funds meant for Hartford's children.
The entire report can be read here: just click on the link view report here
