Broward School Board fires chief auditor, approves appointments and launches resilience planning

The Broward County School Board on Tuesday voted to remove the district—s chief auditor and approved a package of personnel moves, budget reprioritization and planning items, including steps to assess school resiliency to heat and flooding.

Why it matters: The meeting produced several high-profile outcomes that affect district oversight and operations. The board—s vote to terminate the chief auditor reflects deep disagreements between the auditor—s office and other district officials over how audits are prepared and communicated. Separately, the board approved promotions and salary adjustments the superintendent proposed, and voted to set aside $7 million of savings from the recent organizational changes for use in upcoming collective-bargaining salary negotiations.

Chief auditor removed: The board voted 8—1 to terminate Chief Auditor James Rhodes—s employment (agenda item BB2). The motion was introduced by School Board Member Allen Zeman, who cited what he described as repeated problems large enough to undermine trust in the office. Supporters of the termination argued the audit office had produced draft and final reports containing factual errors and that those issues and related communications harmed confidence in the audit function. Opponents, including members of the district—s audit committee and public commenters, said Rhodes—s work increased transparency and saved the district money and that the complaints did not meet the legal standard for…