TDSB audit a 'turning point,' director vows

What was I thinking?

TORONTO - A sweeping forensic audit of the Toronto District School Board has turned up a series of financial concerns ranging from executive pay hikes to violations of the board’s expenses policy.

The report, by accounting firm Ernst & Young, was commissioned after newly-minted board director Donna Quan began to hear of problems upon taking her job last January. Auditors came back with 27 recommendations and Quan on Tuesday vowed to make changes.

“This is a turning point for the Toronto District School Board,” she said. “It’s a turning point in the sense that we recognize that our dollars must be spent in a responsible manner that student achievement is heightened.”

Auditors slammed the board for appearing to ignore a broader public sector salary freeze and giving senior managers raises to the tune of nearly $1.3 million. The report highlighted that of a sample of 20 board awarded contracts, 45% did not use a competitive bidding process as required by the province.  (more...)

TDSB audit a 'turning point,' director vows