Investigation Reveals Misuse of Funds by Former Education Chief

The Santa Clara County Office of Education has concluded an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds by former Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan, revealing significant mismanagement during her tenure. The findings, presented at a board meeting on Wednesday night, come over a year after Dewan’s unexpected removal from her position in a 4-2 vote classified as “without cause.”

The investigation’s results stem from Dewan’s handling of complaints related to the county’s Head Start program, which serves low-income children under the age of five. Though the report did not provide specific instances of wrongdoing, it highlighted a pattern of financial mismanagement, including findings that public funds were misused and several board policies were violated under Dewan’s leadership.

A federal audit released earlier this year indicated that the county misappropriated more than $135,370 in federal Head Start funds. The board described this issue as a failed attempt to cover up the misuse, asserting it undermined their authority. Dewan, however, characterized the situation as a communication error, insisting that no wrongdoing occurred during her administration.

The board stated that no charges have been filed against Dewan by law enforcement or the district attorney’s office. The summarized report was prepared by board counsel and the governance committee, which includes board president Maimona Afzal Berta, vice president Victoria Chon, trustee Jessica Speiser, and current county superintendent David Toston. Their investigation analyzed multiple reports and conducted various reviews over the past two years.

The report also noted that several contracts within the county’s education office appeared to be awarded based on personal favoritism, a practice contrary to ethical standards. It suggested that some employees might have misused public resources to express support for Dewan.

In response to the findings, Dewan condemned the board’s conclusions, labeling them as “meritless, malicious and baseless.” She emphasized her commitment to her duties and criticized the board’s portrayal of employee free speech as misconduct. “This pattern of public attacks is harmful to the institution and discourages talented educators from serving our students,” she stated.

Community responses varied. Some members expressed gratitude for the investigation, with Mercedes Hill, a Head Start office specialist, affirming that the findings aligned with concerns raised over the past two years. Conversely, Riju Krishna, president of the Association of County Educators, argued that the alleged mismanagement could not solely be attributed to one superintendent, highlighting the need for systemic checks and balances.

The board proposed several policy changes aimed at preventing future misuse of funds. However, board member Tara Sreekrishnan voiced concerns about the suggested changes, suggesting they centralize authority and reduce transparency. “The findings raise broad and serious concerns but are presented without evidence or specific examples, making it difficult for oversight agencies to evaluate them,” she stated.

The investigation’s findings coincide with other ongoing reviews of the county office of education, which have indicated longstanding tensions between the leadership and board members. Former board president Claudia Rossi and former trustee Kathleen King defended Dewan, asserting that no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged despite extensive investigations.

Current board member Don Rocha cautioned that the evidence regarding Dewan’s administration speaks for itself. “In my more than 30 years of public service, I’ve never seen an agency so unconcerned with serving community interests as the Santa Clara County Office of Education was under Dewan,” he remarked.

As the board navigates these findings and community reactions, the future of the Santa Clara County Office of Education remains uncertain. The push for policy reform and transparency is likely to take center stage as discussions continue in the wake of this investigation.