HB 4574, designed to provide funds and set criteria to bail Hancock County Schools out of its fiscal emergency, made the agenda this morning (Jan. 27) in Senate Education. The bill is double referenced and if passed out of the Education Committee will then face another hurdle in Senate Finance.
The bill did not make it to a vote, but after numerous questions from Committee members, the Chair opted to postpone the bill to a later date to allow for more questions. Following the question period, committee members will have the opportunity to offer amendments prior to a vote being taken.
State School Superintendent Michele Blatt and the Education Committee attorney, fielded questions from Senate Committee members. Blatt said a team is in Hancock County today (Jan, 27) further investigating the financial books.
Blatt said there are 7 counties in financial distress in the State, 8 counting Hancock. None of the 7, however, are at risk of not meeting the February payroll as is Hancock County.
Blatt used the term “maladministration” when referring to Hancock’s administration and board. Blatt anticipated that when all the facts are known, the State team may be working with the County Prosecuting Attorney to press charges. (Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Dragisich has already indicated that since he legally serves as the Board of Education legal counsel, he would ask the Circuit Judge to appoint a special prosecutor.)
Blatt said that not only did the administration and Board of Education in Hancock allow 243 employees in excess of the school funding formula to remain on the payroll, but when it came to the turf project and other construction, “they dug their hole even deeper.”
