The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Column about audit was inaccurate, inflammatory
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2008
Get the facts straight.
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This adage is one of the guiding principles I've incorporated in my leadership style throughout my career as a superintendent of schools. When there have been disciplinary issues or policies that have been called into question, I carefully investigate all angles, restrain from making hasty conclusions and then respond in a way that, to the best of my abilities, is fair and decisive.
I wish that Ms. Kathleen Conat, a freelance writer for The Courier, would have extended the same professional courtesy to Ypsilanti Public Schools. Her column that appeared in the April 10, 2008 edition of the Courier, titled "School district needs a real audit" was riddled with inaccuracies and was written in an antagonistic tone.
In addition to making erroneous statements, Ms. Conat speaks out of both sides of her mouth, in one phrase extolling the exemplary reputation of Plante & Moran and in the next likening them to Halliburton, a company that has been linked to conflict of interest practices.
The following are other statements that I find unconscionable:
†Ms. Conat asks the question why the district has been quiet about the Operating Millage Propasal that is on the May 6 ballot. Since the state's adoption of the Headlee Amendment, the millage has been in place since 1994, was renewed in 2003 and is up for renewal again. We have a number of public information plans in place that are intended to reach as many residents as possible before Election Day. This topic was also addressed at a board meeting which is covered by multiple media outlets. The millage does not translate into a tax increase for home owners and will not change the current tax rate they are paying. However with misinformation that is often associated with these topics, the district is making every attempt to provide vital information to the public to avoid a fear frenzy.
†Ms. Conat claims that the district has not conducted a thorough and independent audit since the resignation in late February of former CFO Alan Dowdy. Plante & Moran was contacted weeks ago to address this issue, but their availability during peak tax season prevented a visit prior to April. The district's normal internal audit rotation takes place in June and that schedule has been moved up to accommodate the concerns with the change in leadership in the district's business office. Ms. Conat's reference to the district's annual audit as "cursory" is an understatement. I doubt that anyone who witnesses the full days that the accounting firm spends pouring over our records as "cursory." Her flippant remark again shows her lack of understanding and knowledge of the audit process.
†Ms. Conat makes the assumption that Plante & Moran and Plante & Moran CRESA are one and the same. Plante & Moran CRESA is an affiliate of Plante & Moran but is not controlled by the larger entity. Therefore her accusations of conflict of interest are misguided.
†Ms. Conat referred to Plante & Moran CRESA as the district's construction manager for the bond project which is false. Plante & Moran CRESA is the district's owner representative. Wolgast is the construction manager.
†Ms. Conat pulls a fictitious figure of $2 million out of the air as the amount that Plante & Moran CRESA is receiving as compensation for their work on the bond project. This figure is a gross overstatement of what is factual. Again, Ms. Conat did not do her homework.
†Ms. Conat states that "Plante & Moran CRESA hand picked Wolgast as the district's construction manager." Again, false. There was a bid process and Wolgast was selected from eight competitive bids.
†Ms. Conat makes slanderous remarks regarding Wolgast and expresses concerns about their hiring practices. The YPS Board of Education adopted a resolution at the March 17 meeting addressing the topic of hiring contractors and workers for the bond project. The board resolution states that the district "will accept the bid of the contractor who is the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with applicable law" and that contractors pay workers prevailing wages. The resolution also states that preference will be given to contractors who propose to utilize the largest number of local union laborers.
Regrettably, Ms. Conat never contacted me to confirm or clarify information for her opinion column. If she had, I would have made arrangements to supply her with factual data.
Instead she has chosen to use sweeping generalities, innuendoes and inaccuracies to write a column that is inflammatory.
I trust that those who have real concerns and want honest information will come to the source rather than relying on yellow journalism. I have the facts and will give them to you straight.
Ypsilanti Schools' Superintendent James Hawkins can be reached at jhawkins@ypsd.org or 1-734-714-1218.
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