Updated Aug 24, 2009 - 6:49 pm

Audit shows Seattle schools didn't report theft

Comments   |   Print this   |   E-mail this   |  

Listen to Erin's report

An audit reveals the Seattle School District lost $500,000 worth of equipment and it didn't tell the state about the losses.

A lawn mower, desktop computers, laptops, a projector screen, and even copper wiring went missing. Many of the losses were stolen from a closed down elementary school and it was reported to police, but no one followed state law by reporting it to the State Auditor's office.

"It's not uncommon for several items to go missing, but this is a lot," said Mindy Chambers, with the State Auditor's office.

David Tucker, with the Seattle school district, says this oversight happened two years ago and wouldn't happen today. "Our district has put in a number of remedies to take care of the situations that were present at that time which are not present today."

Tucker says most of the vandalism took place at the closed Viewlands Elementary in north Seattle, and they've taken measures to ensure a similar situation will not happen again. "We've put in fences, in terms of securing equipment. We've also put in an internal auditor to ensure that information gets to the state auditor."

Chambers says the Seattle school district won't be penalized for the thefts.

• Add A Comment
  
  
  0
  0
• JohnQTaxpayer wrote...

  no suprise

  this does not suprise me ..... it is good thing I live outside of crapattle and do not spend one dime in the city limits because of things like this

  August 24, 2009 7:10 pm

  81029

  0

  0 Report this as abuse
• Jojobber wrote...

  Two Years Ago????

  They need to get a new spokesman, one that won't fabricate information to make them look good. I work there and they do NOT have a system in place. They say these things cannot happen today ---BULL!!! It is still happening. They still have their heads where the sun don't shine on this.

  August 24, 2009 7:23 pm

  81033

  0

  0 Report this as abuse
• dandan wrote...

  Theft

  The Seattle Police better start investigating school district employees. That's the most likely place all this stuff went and was "not reported." What a screw job the taxpayers are getting.

  August 24, 2009 7:40 pm

  81036

  0

  0 Report this as abuse
• FungusCorners wrote...

  Look around

  Missing computers, projectors, musical instruments and even cases of copy/printer paper mysteriously disappear from schools all the time. I know one secretary who locks the supply room and monitors who gets what - she has reduced expenses at that one school by 50%.

  August 25, 2009 7:16 am

  81081

  0

  0 Report this as abuse
• Swan wrote...

  Tax

  Seattle schools must have to much money to spend if they can't take care of what the have. I bet no one will be fired for not doing the job they were paid to do. When they ask for a new tax vote no until they get rid of some of the non workers.

  August 25, 2009 7:18 am

  81082

  0

  0 Report this as abuse
• 11824

  Report this as abuse

• < prev
• 1
• next >

• Visitors spent $14B in last year in Washington
• Washington Senate passes bill sparked by flooding concerns
• Police round up Crips in Tacoma gang sweep
• Alaska Air resumes serving Coca-Cola on flights
• Gov't tries anew to detain exec before trial
• Seahawks CEO: Paul Allen cancer tests encouraging
• Sen. Benton's campaign against Murray to focus on jobs
• Bremerton nursing home employees fired over nude photos
• Olympics torch visits U.S. at Peace Arch
• Seattle welcomes Hard Rock Cafe