‘One or more investigations’ underway at Taos Schools
District looks into ‘financial fraud, waste or abuse’
The Taos Municipal Schools Board of Education took steps during a special meeting last week
to launch a special independent audit and engage new legal counsel regarding “one or more investigations related to executive staff.”
After a nearly two-hour discussion behind closed doors regarding “limited personnel matters,”
the school board came back into open session and, with no further discussion, voted unanimously to “authorize the administration to procure an independent public accountant to conduct a special audit in accordance with applicable state law and district policy, and to notify the state Office of the State Auditor of that action.”
Stephanie Telles, director of the government accountability office within the Office of the State Auditor, said there is not currently an “open examination on this,” but confirmed that “the office of the superintendent did contact the OSA and spoke with our special investigations director to ask about the process for a district-initiated audit.”
Interim Superintendent Valerie Trujillo told the Taos News that
she is dealing with several “serious” issues within the district, which is also currently undergoing its regular annual audit process. Although
she said she could not disclose many details, Trujillo released a
statement to the newspaper late Friday (Oct. 21) afternoon.
“At its meeting on Oct. 19, the Taos Municipal Schools Board of Education voted to authorize
the superintendent to procure an independent public accountant
to conduct a special audit, and to notify the state Office of the State Auditor of that action,” Trujillo
said. “Unfortunately, I cannot disclose additional details at this time. Under state law, information reported to the state auditor related to a report of potential
financial fraud, waste, or abuse at the district is confidential. Likewise, because the state police have also been notified of certain allegations, the information related to such a criminal investigation is also confidential and cannot be disclosed under [the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act], as release of the information would seriously interfere with the effectiveness of that law
enforcement investigation. We will, of course, release information
regarding these matters when we are able to do so.”
Referring to the Administration Building where the district’s central offices are located, Trujillo did tell the Taos News on Friday that “state police have been here for the
last couple of days.” A New Mexico State Police spokesperson said
the agency could not comment on an ongoing investigation.
The board of education also approved a $3,110 contract with BC Security. The Santa Fe company traveled to Taos and replaced
keys and locks in the school district administration building on Oct. 13.
In addition to the locksmithing contract and audit, the board took
up three more items, the first of which was to “Discuss board policy BDG and take possible action to affirm the authority of the
superintendent and board president under policy BDG to engage
legal counsel” and to affirm their
authority to “transfer legal files.”
Flores’ made a motion “to affirm that the board president and superintendent have the authority under policy BDG to engage legal counsel requests legal
services on behalf of the district and board on any matter related to the operation of the district, including the law firm of Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson, P.C., who is currently providing
legal services to the district under a retainer agreement with the district; I further move to affirm the authority granted to the board
president and superintendent and under policy BDG includes the ability to direct the transfer of legal files, legal matters, when the
superintendent or board president deem it in the best interest of the district.”
Without discussion, the board voted unanimously on the motion. Trujillo later clarified to the Taos News that the district “is switching
lawyers for this case,” but declined
to elaborate.
Also without discussion, the board approved agreements with two professional services organizations that have provided
temporary staff to the district on an as-needed basis in the past. According to the meeting agenda,
the new agreements are necessary “to cover any periods of employee leave” in the current school year.
Trujillo told the Taos News that the agreement with Cooperative Educational Services, which provides educators on a temp basis,
is “for an interim position for one of these individuals” involved in
the unspecified legal matter. The other agreement, with Tempo Inc., which has previously provided
temporary “maintenance workers or facility coordinators” to the district, also involves either a legal or personnel matter.
“I can’t disclose additional information,” Trujillo said, adding, “I can’t give the number of people” who are on leave.