D65 to implement ‘whistle blower’ policy

The name “Devon Horton” was not mentioned during the most recent District 65 board of education meeting, but the fiscal ghost of the former superintendent was clearly in the room when Chief Financial Officer Eric Miller outlined a series of financial safeguards designed to keep District 65 dollars from going out the door in somebody’s pocket. A variety of measures, some already in effect, some yet to happen, are designed to provide oversight of expenditures and backup reviews. There will be no bypassing of purchasing regulations. “No office is exempt,” said a presentation from the CFO. “Every requester needs additional approval.” Horton, who led the district from 2020-2023, recently pled guilty to wire fraud, embezzlement of school district funds, and tax evasion, in connection with a kickback scheme involving bogus contractors and thousands of dollars. In reviewing what safeguards are needed, Miller told the school board that he has “identified a clear gap” in D65 policies. “The district does not yet have an established and published ‘whistle-blower’ process,” Miller stated. The goal, he added, is to have such a written policy by the spring, if not sooner, “for a documented reporting and escalation process that includes a channel independent of the superintendent.” The goal of a ‘whistle-blower” policy is to make sure a staffer is protected if he or she comes forward about questionable activities by a fellow employee, no matter how high up that fellow employee might be. After Horton was indicted, the school board hired an outside consultant to analyze shortcomings under his leadership. That consultant, Crowe Advisory, LLC, concluded that, according to D65, “Weaknesses in financial controls enabled former Superintendent Devon Horton to commit the financial crimes to which he’s now pled guilty.” The Crowe report was presented to the school board last month. Included in the new oversight rules are additional limits and controls on the use of district credit cards. One of Horton’s misdeeds was using such a card for his own personal expenses. Board member Maria Opdycke said adding the new safeguards is critical. “I’d like to shout from the rooftops that this is being done,” she said. “It’s a way of building trust.” Related