Garvey School District Told to Follow Accounting Policies

The Los Angeles County Office of Education has sent a letter to the Garvey School District admonishing it to mend its ways.

After reviewing claims of procedural violations, L.A. County Office of Education Supt. Donald W. Ingwerson sent a letter to district officials in Rosemead telling them to start complying with some of the district’s own expenditure policies, which provide a framework for reimbursing board members for district-related meal and travel expenses.

“The larger issue is . . . it appears that one or more board members or employees do not follow Garvey School District policies and regulations,” Ingwerson wrote.

Board member Bob Miranda said some of his colleagues have pocketed the district’s cash advances for trips they never took, while other board members failed to submit reimbursement claims for district-related trips they financed themselves.

Other board members and Garvey Supt. Dr. Alex Yusem said that Miranda is exaggerating the situation.

“It’s not like the people are extorting sums of money,” Yusem said, adding that after the county’s letter, “We’re tightening up our situation.”

Miranda, a self-described “procedural person,” said he is continuously frustrated by the board’s failure to comply with policies. Miranda brought the policy violations to the attention of the county education office and requested that the agency conduct an audit. The district serves the cities of Rosemead, South San Gabriel, San Gabriel and Monterey Park.

As its first example of compliance, the district Wednesday released an addendum to tonight’s school board meeting, indicating that the board plans to approve late claims filed by members Loretta Gonzalez, David Lau and John Nunez to adhere to county guidelines.