ED-WATCH: Lack Of Oversight Allows $1 Million Theft

(03/24/2006)

The executive director of Beckley's RESA, which was overseeing six southern counties, has been suspended after an investigation into $1 million missing from the agency. The state Board of Education voted 5-3 Thursday to suspend Carol Morgan without pay for 90 days. A 10-page report said Morgan's RESA put too much responsibility in one employee's hands, that could have led to the $1 million that disappeared from the RESA over the past five years. The report said "The executive director delegated the authority over purchasing, receiving and approving invoices to the same individual." The report did not name the person who had all of those duties. Debra Calhoun Mitchell resigned last month as RESAs executive secretary, amid an investigation into the missing money. She had been employed at the agency for about 30 years. The independent investigation said the RESA did not follow proper budget timing and that the agency's advisory council needs to have better control over spending and hiring. A separate criminal investigation of the missing money is ongoing.

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