Panel: Schools should review tech buys

Audit finds problems in Broward’s spending of $17M on interactive TVs

The Broward School District should examine five years of major technology purchases after auditors found lax controls in the purchase of $17 million worth of interactive TVs, its Audit Committee agreed Thursday.

Committee members were alarmed that an outside audit confirmed the district indirectly bought Recordex flat-screen panels — devices that function as TVs, computers and projectors — from EDCO, a Georgia-based company with close ties to Tony Hunter, the district’s chief information officer during two stints between 2013 and 2019.

In 2018, Hunter bought a house from EDCO President David Allen at $117,740 below its appraised value, and nearly $200,000 below what a similar house next door sold for a few months later, according to property records, Hunter and Allen said the house was in need of numerous repairs and was sold “as is.” Hunter now works as a vice president for a company owned by Allen.

Superintendent Robert Runcie ordered the audit of the Recordex purchases after the South Florida Sun Sentinel raised questions to district administrators and School Board members. A review by the Sun Sentinel found the district paid twice as much as MiamiDade schools for similar devices.

The district sent the audit over to the State Attorney’s Office for review.

In addition to spearheading the Recordex purchases, Hunter oversaw two major contracts totaling $96 million for Lenovo computers. Many teachers and some School Board members complained that the computers the district were bought were of cheap quality and frequently broke down, resulting in the nickname “Le No No.”

The district has also struggled with implementing maintenance and construction software bought during Hunter’s tenure. Several other technology purchases, including one for cloud storage and streaming services, have been criticized because the district didn’t seek competitive bids.

District officials do not