Aquatic center coordinator reinstated
Alleged violations prompt review of financial controls
Anchor Bay’s aquatic center coordinator has been reinstated following a 100day suspension prompted by an investigation into alleged policy violations.
Anchor Bay School District officials suspended aquatic center Coordinator Colleen Mellon in May after discovering “some irregularities” involving work hours, time sheets and financial records. An investigation followed, and the results were highlighted during the board of education’s Aug. 19 virtual meeting. Mellon had requested an open forum to present information to the school board, officials said.
“By all accounts, she has been a good employee and had no record of discipline,” said Todd Rathbun, the district’s assistant superintendent. “That said, we believe Ms. Mellon has abused and breached the trust we afford our administrators by attempting to, and to some extent, succeeding in the misuse of public funds for the benefit of her direct subordinates, violating district policies and procedures — including in a manner that exposed the district to liability — failing to maintain and secure adequate records for the aquatic center and engaging in dishonesty to cover her tracks.”
Rathbun said Mellon was asked in April to submit time sheets for her staff based on average hours worked following the governor’s executive order requiring schools to reemploy employees in meaningful work and continue to pay employees as a condition of state aid.
“Anchor Bay became concerned, based on the hours that were submitted by Ms. Mellon, as the number of hours submitted for all four of the employees were significantly higher than the employees had worked in the past,” Rathbun said.
“While most of the inflation was discovered prior to making payment to the employees, in some cases it was unfortunately not discovered, and employees were paid for some time that they did not work,” the assistant superintendent added.
Mellon said any discrepancies were unintentional.
“I don’t agree that it was an intentional inflated hours for anyone’s benefit,” she said. “It was to the best ofmy ability under the circumstances.”
Administrators also alleged Mellon had not reported time off to the district, allowing her to be paid for the days she was off while retaining vacation days for a second payout in the future. Mellon argued the day in question was a contractual day off.
“While reviewing the records during the course of the investigation, paperwork was discovered that outside groups were utilizing the aquatic facility, however, no facility use paperwork was completed by these groups, as is required under our administrative regulations, and the required proof of insurance was never collected,” Rathbun added. “… Curious if these groups had used the facility, the investigation attempted to locate financial records located in the aquatic center. Unfortunately, all the financial records had been removed from the facility.”
The district alleged the records that were found during the investigation showed cash handling procedures were not being followed.
Mellon said various swimming groups have rented lanes at the aquatic center for years and do not use the entire facility.
“A lot of these things were unnecessary,” Mellon told district officials. “I’m a very reasonable person. If therewere areas that you wanted adjustments or changes form a leadership standpoint, by all means — I’m open, I’m available, I would expect it.
“I just ask that the board really takes into account my sincerity and my truth in this because I have 21 years of dedication, commitment to the public, to the community, as a cross country coach. I’m being restricted from coaching cross country right now until if/when I get reinstated. I love giving back. I love being part of the community.”
The school board’s newly elected president, Patrick Green, made a motion to reinstate Mellon to her full-time position. An action plan to implement the appropriate financial controls at the aquatic center must be completed within 60 days from the meeting. Yearly evaluations were also discussed.
Newly elected board Treasurer Lisa Birk meier agreed with the motion.
“I have problems with the fact that I was given a report that is a lot of speculation and hypotheses instead of just facts and evidence,” she said. “… To say that I’m upset about this is kind of an understatement. I’m embarrassed — I’m very embarrassed — and I’m sorry.”
School board members unanimously supported the motion, with newly elected board Secretary Steve Mittelstadt being absent for that portion of the meeting, which took place after midnight.
A handful of residents took time during the open forum portion of the meeting to voice their support for Mellon.
“Colleen is definitely one of the best,” said Shelly Berger Finateri, who has worked with Mellon for nearly a decade. “The Anchor Bay School District is very lucky to have her, and we should support her and treat her like the gem that she truly is.”
The aquatic center, located on Ashley Street in New Baltimore, has been closed since March due to COVID-19.