As many in Shenandoah County are already aware, in 2020-21, Shenandoah County Public School Board undertook a much disputed and controversial process to change the names of two schools: Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby-Lee Elementary School.
The initial name change process was rushed, excluding much of the typical community input, and seeming to be lacking careful consideration of various factors. However, the names were changed and four years later we are still seeing the effects in our communities. The financial aspect of this decision has recently come under scrutiny. Brandi Rutz, a member of the Shenandoah County School Board, has called for a forensic audit into $133,284.00 of the funds spent on the name change in 2020-21. That total is the amount used from the Shenandoah Valley Reginal Program funds for Special Education. Rutz expressed concerns about the source of the funds and emphasized the need to ensure that the money was used appropriately, especially given the importance of supporting special education programs. The current SCPS Board decided in their October 10th meeting to proceed with the audit. The motion was passed by a 3 to 2 tally, with Chairman Dennis Barlow, Vice Chair Kyle Gutshall, and Tom Streett voting for the audit, with Gloria Carlineo and Mike Rickard voting against it.
The audit request has been met with mixed reactions. Some community members support the audit, believing that transparency is essential in public spending decisions. Others argue that the funds were well spent and that the name change was a necessary step towards creating a more inclusive environment for students. Former Board member Cyndy Walsh went as far as to do an interview with WHSV TV in Harrisonburg in defense of the expenditures and that there was” no misappropriation” of funds. Walsh did not get into details on the financials during her interview however, instead she justified her and her fellow board members’ decisions on why changing the names was the right thing to do in their opinions. One item of note is that in the audit request and subsequent Shenandoah County Public School Board actions, the word misappropriation does not seem to be mentioned as an allegation in the nomenclature.
The School Board in each county is responsible for the oversight of funds spent out of their budget and although don’t make the financial determinations themselves, they are to be informed of what the financial officers are doing. The financial officers during the time in question were Superintendent Mark Johnston and Finance Director Demetria Brown.
As the audit proceeds, it will be crucial to examine the financial records and determine whether the funds were used appropriately. The outcome of the audit could have significant implications for future decisions regarding school names and other public spending in Shenandoah County. The audit of the 2020-21 funds used to change the school names is much bigger than this singular issue here Shenandoah County, It highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public spending decisions. The results of the audit will be eagerly awaited by both supporters and opponents of the name change, as they will provide valuable insights into the financial management of the school board. After all, every cent (other than donations) is taken from the taxpayers.
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