No Evidence of Wrongdoing Found in Broward School Board Members’ Allegations
The State Department of Education’s inspector general ordered an "independent review" of allegations made against three Broward School Board members, Jeff Holness, Sarah Leonardi, and Allen Zeman. The investigation was conducted by Continental Attorneys-At-Law, a Coral Gables firm, and the findings have been submitted to the state.
Allegations and Background
Nathalie Lynch-Walsh, a longtime volunteer with the district and one of its most vocal critics, filed a series of complaints with the state, alleging improper relationships between the three board members and vendors. She also claimed the School Board improperly used federal COVID relief dollars to pay for teacher raises.
Investigation Findings
The investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the three board members. They concluded that Lynch-Walsh’s concerns "appear to be driven by disagreements with the Board’s exercise of its judgment and policymaking." The investigators wrote that there was no record evidence to support the allegations of improper influence due to political contributions.
Reactions from Board Members and Lynch-Walsh
Board members Leonardi and Zeman expressed relief and disappointment at the outcome. Leonardi stated that she was happy to cooperate with the investigation and was not surprised that the allegations were found to be false. Zeman expressed concern about the frequency of accusations made by Lynch-Walsh and the impact on the district.
Holness also commented on the situation, stating that it was unfortunate that Lynch-Walsh’s disagreements with board actions led to unfounded allegations, which required the allocation of financial and time resources to investigate and defend the board’s actions.
Lynch-Walsh, on the other hand, disputed the assertion that her concerns were based on policy differences. She claimed to have witnessed board members engaging in lobbying from the dais and accused the investigators of being unable to prove unethical behavior due to their lack of subpoena power and authority to take statements under oath.
Conclusion
The investigation into allegations of ethical breaches by three Broward School Board members has concluded, and no evidence of wrongdoing was found. The investigators determined that the allegations were driven by disagreements with the board’s exercise of its judgment and policymaking, and not by any improper influence or unethical behavior.
FAQs
Q: What were the allegations made against the three Broward School Board members?
A: The allegations included claims of improper relationships between the board members and vendors, and the misuse of federal COVID relief dollars to pay for teacher raises.
Q: Who conducted the investigation?
A: The investigation was conducted by Continental Attorneys-At-Law, a Coral Gables firm hired by the school district.
Q: What were the findings of the investigation?
A: The investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the three board members, concluding that the allegations were driven by disagreements with the board’s exercise of its judgment and policymaking.
Q: What are the reactions from the board members and Lynch-Walsh?
A: Board members Leonardi and Zeman expressed relief and disappointment at the outcome, while Holness expressed concern about the frequency of unfounded accusations made by Lynch-Walsh. Lynch-Walsh disputed the assertion that her concerns were based on policy differences and accused the investigators of being unable to prove unethical behavior.
