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Findings and Recommendations 8 findings
F1
Significant information regarding problems with financial matters from a SAUSD board member was omitted by AUSD human relations staff in Mr. Rossi’s reference check for the position of assistant principal.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
When hiring a candidate to a position with access to public funds, the AUSD should contract with an independent agency to conduct a systematic, objective pre-employment
F2
Prior to Mr. Rossi’s promotion to principal, AUSD administrators were aware that Mr. Rossi was under investigation for alleged misappropriation of public taxpayer funds at his former school district and in fact, were provided copies of pertinent audit findings outlining the specifics of the improprieties.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The AUSD Board should implement a new policy requiring that when a civil or criminal complaint is lodged against a staff member, the superintendent conduct a full investigation and submit findings and recommendations to the board.
F3
An AUSD administrator contacted the current SAUSD Superintendent and confirmed the audit findings, their fiscal losses and ongoing investigation of Mr. Rossi. This information was not disclosed to the hiring committee.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The AUSD Board should implement a new policy requiring that when a civil or criminal complaint is lodged against a staff member, the superintendent conduct a full investigation and submit findings and recommendations to the board.
F4
In a restitution agreement, Mr. Rossi repaid SAUSD $32,000 of their $56,000 in lost public funds.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
AUSD practice, both for internal and external job candidates, is to conduct six reference checks. AUSD records indicate only two telephone references were done for Mr. Rossi, one from a former mentor and the other from the Monterey County Superintendent of Schools.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
When hiring or promoting personnel to an administrative position with access to public funds, the AUSD should follow their stated practice to obtain six qualified
R3
When hiring a candidate to a position with access to public funds, the AUSD should contract with an independent agency to conduct a systematic, objective pre-employment
F6
When interviewed by the Grand Jury, the Monterey County Superintendent of Schools denied being contacted by AUSD or providing a reference for Mr. Rossi.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Although there were complaints of misuse of Atascadero High School student activity funds by Mr. Rossi, the Grand Jury was unable to find supporting documentation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
When complaints are received from parents or students, the superintendent should appoint an independent administrator to investigate the complaint and submit recommendations.
F8
AUSD failed to perform due diligence in their promotion of Mr. Rossi to principal.
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 1
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CL1The position of principal holds a high level of public trust and scrutiny, with direct access and authority over public taxpayer dollars intended for student education. The screening and vetting process for hiring a principal should be thorough and rigorous enough to meet the standards and responsibilities expected of a principal. 2009-2010 San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Page 8 Based on testimony to the Grand Jury, it appears that because Mr. Rossi was well regarded as assistant principal, AUSD chose to disregard or dismiss critical information of his alleged misappropriation of public funds. The AUSD administrators and hiring committee completed only a cursory reference check at best and chose to treat the issue of possible financial wrong doing by Mr. Rossi as a personal matter between himself and his former employer that did not apply to their decision making.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Atascadero Unified School District
School District