Lawsuit highlights Brookline Public Schools budget mess
Brookline is attempting to dismiss a lawsuit by a former finance director who alleges she was pressured to falsify budget records.Summary
Brookline and its school department are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former school finance director Diane Johnson, who claims she was pressured to falsify financial records related to the district’s special education budget. The town and school district assert their actions were based on legitimate business reasons. Johnson alleges she was ousted for refusing to conceal problems within the budget, a situation stemming from a series of controversies over the past two years, including a $8.2 million budget shortfall and the resignation of the superintendent. The lawsuit details an incident where Johnson was allegedly asked to enter false information into a report and, upon refusal, was confronted and subsequently fired for “insubordination.” The case has shaken community trust, particularly among parents of special education students, who express concerns about ongoing mismanagement. An earlier audit found no mismanagement of IDEA funds, but the lawsuit alleges improper handling of funds and a deliberate misrepresentation of the special education program's financial status.
(Source：The Boston Globe)