Brevard Public Schools Whistleblower Complaint Alleges Improper Employee Pay Raise

By  //  September 25, 2018

whistle blower complaint was made on July 25

Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Mullins issued a statement on Tuesday regarding the whistleblower complaint and audit into a manager’s pay raise that was not approved by the school board.

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – An independent audit report has been released after a Brevard Public Schools whistleblower complaint was filed that includes alleged improprieties in the employee compensation adjustment process.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE AUDIT REPORT

On July 25, 2018, a formal whistleblower complaint was submitted to the School Board members and School Board Attorney and on August 21, 2018, and an independent audit was requested to perform an investigation of the specific allegations of the whistleblower complaint.

The allegations in the whistleblower complaint identified 21 District employees and tracked their job title and salary changes back to July 1, 2016.

The complaint letter alleges that “the misconduct under question may involve the Superintendent, Dr. Desmond Blackburn; Assistant Superintendent of Financial Services (CFO) Pennie Zuercher and Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Carol Tolx.”

Allegations of the Whistleblower Complaint Includes:

• Official public records have the appearance of awarding compensation and promotions to support staff members prior to School Board awareness or approvals.

• Job description changes for the appearance of reclassification/transfer without competing interests are also questionably revealed in the data.

Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Mullins issued a statement on Tuesday regarding the whistleblower complaint and audit into a manager’s pay raise that was not approved by the school board.

“I commend the BPS employee who spotted this irregularity and brought it to light,” said Mullins.

“As was appropriate and proper, this matter was referred to our independent outside auditor for review and investigation.

“The auditors’ findings determined there is a problem with the process for salary adjustments. I will immediately seek input and direction from the school board to ensure clarity and will take necessary and appropriate action to change procedures regarding approval of individual pay increases.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE AUDIT REPORT

STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR UPDATES

WATCH REPLAY: Space Coast Daily Presents General Election Candidate ForumsRelated Story:
WATCH REPLAY: Space Coast Daily Presents General Election Candidate Forums

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS