Introduction to the Controversy
The top auditor for Broward schools, Dave Rhodes, has offered to separate from the school district during a Tuesday workshop. This move comes after School Board members frequently criticized his performance.
Several board members expressed concerns that Rhodes maintains an adversarial relationship with district administrators who face audits and fails to provide them with adequate training. Rhodes maintained he is following government auditing standards by remaining fiercely independent.
Performance Criticisms and Potential Vote
Rhodes, who has worked for the school district and the county Office of Inspector General during the past three decades, will likely face a vote on his future during a June 17 School Board meeting. School Board member Allen Zeman has said he plans to make a motion to fire Rhodes, possibly for cause. Zeman’s stance on the matter has hardened, stating, “My stance has hardened today,” after Tuesday’s meeting.
Offer for Mutual Separation
Recognizing the board’s frustrations, Rhodes offered a possible way out. He suggested that there could be a mutual-separation agreement or termination without cause, stating, “I would just like to say that it’s no more palatable for me to be in a place where I’m not wanted or the work that I’m doing isn’t respected any more than you guys want to continue to have this problem.” Rhodes emphasized that he does not believe he has done anything that merits cause for termination.
Employment Agreement and Termination Conditions
Rhodes’ employment agreement, which expires in September 2027, states that he can only be fired for cause for reasons outlined in Florida statutes. These reasons include immorality, misconduct in office, incompetency, and more. If the board were to fire him for cause, Rhodes could appeal to a state judge and would be entitled to return to his job and receive back pay if successful. Alternatively, the board could terminate him without cause, which would require paying him about $77,000 in severance and giving 90 days’ notice.
Evaluations and Performance Plan
Rhodes received evaluations of effective or highly effective from all School Board members except Zeman, who gave him a rating of “needs improvement.” However, some board members expressed dissatisfaction with the evaluation tool used. There was also an issue with a memo Rhodes wrote, accusing some district administrators of interfering with his audits, which was not sent to the superintendent and the School Board in a timely manner. Most board members suggested giving Rhodes a performance plan with clear expectations, but Zeman opposed this idea, questioning the need to write a performance improvement plan for a senior person making $200,000 a year.
Analysis and Future Actions
Some board members also questioned the content of the memo, with the superintendent stating that the delays in audit responses were intended to ensure auditors had the correct documentation. The board directed the superintendent to compile an analysis of the board’s evaluations of Rhodes, which will help them decide what action may be needed on June 17.
Conclusion
The situation with Dave Rhodes, the chief auditor for Broward schools, highlights the challenges in maintaining independence in auditing while ensuring effective communication and cooperation with district administrators. The outcome of the June 17 School Board meeting will be crucial in determining Rhodes’ future with the district.
FAQs
- Q: Why is Dave Rhodes facing criticism from the School Board?
A: Rhodes is facing criticism for maintaining an adversarial relationship with district administrators and failing to provide adequate training. - Q: What are the conditions under which Rhodes can be terminated?
A: Rhodes can be terminated for cause as outlined in Florida statutes or without cause, which would require a severance package. - Q: What is the proposed solution to address the issues with Rhodes’ performance?
A: Some board members suggest giving Rhodes a performance plan with clear expectations, while others, like Zeman, oppose this idea. - Q: What will happen during the June 17 School Board meeting?
A: The board will discuss and potentially vote on Rhodes’ future with the district, considering his performance and the proposed solutions.
