Broward school board orders investigation and reverts referendum supplements to pay band D and below

The Broward County School Board on Jan. 6 directed a formal investigation into how the district presented changes to referendum (ESMAB) supplements and voted to revert the supplements so that only employees in pay band D and below receive them.

The action followed public testimony from teachers, union leaders and community members who said referendum funds were intended primarily for school‑based employees and classroom staff. “The referendum money was for the teachers,” said Anna Fusco, president of the Broward Teachers Union. “You don’t get to just use it when other people want a raise.”

Chair Sarah Leonardi framed the vote as an effort to restore public trust. “The voters knew what they were voting for,” Leonardi said. After extended board deliberation, members voted to direct the district’s chief auditor to investigate the circumstances under which an item contrary to prior board direction reached the agenda, and to refer the matter to the Broward County Inspector General for additional review. The board also approved a separate motion to revert the ESMAB supplements to the 2023 language limiting eligibility to pay band D and below and tasked the general counsel and chief auditor to return contracts that need amendment so referendum supplements are excluded for above‑band D positions.

Superintendent Howard Hepburn told the board he had already asked human resources to open a formal investigation after issues were flagged in the chief auditor’s report. “I have directed HR to initiate a formal investigation,” Hepburn said at the meeting. He also said some executive‑level staff had been reassigned while the inquiry proceeds.

Board members disagreed over whether the initial probe should be handled by the superintendent’s staff, the chief auditor’s office or the external inspector general. Ultimately the board decided the chief auditor should conduct a rapid initial review and that the matter should also be referred to the Broward OIG to ensure independence.

Public speakers urged a full external review. “It reeks of fraud by omission,” said Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, a longtime volunteer and public commenter, urging referral to the inspector general and the state attorney if needed.

Outcome and next steps: the board’s motions passed, and staff were directed to (a) implement the audit/investigation plan, (b) identify contracts and positions that need amendment so referendum supplements are not paid to above‑band D positions going forward, and (c) report back to the board. The board scheduled follow‑up briefings; the chief auditor indicated his office would work to deliver an initial limited‑scope review within weeks if feasible.