UPDATE: A bombshell investigation by the Santa Clara County Office of Education has revealed significant misuse of public funds under former Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan. During a heated board meeting on October 25, 2023, officials disclosed findings that have left many questions unanswered, creating a storm of controversy.
The investigation, which has been ongoing for over a year, was prompted by Dewan’s unexpected removal from her position in a 4-2 vote last year, described as “without cause.” The board has now attributed her dismissal to her handling of complaints regarding the county’s Head Start program, a vital initiative aimed at providing low-income children under the age of five with essential resources.
Crucially, the report identifies 14 findings, alleging that under Dewan’s leadership, the office mismanaged public funds and violated multiple board policies. Notably, it claims that a segregated account was improperly used to redirect grant funding for unrelated purposes and that public dollars were inappropriately allocated for legal expenses related to board investigations.
A federal audit earlier this year highlighted that the county office misused over $135,370 in federal Head Start funds, a situation the board condemned as a failed cover-up. Dewan, however, insists this was merely a “communication error.”
Despite the serious allegations, the board confirmed there are currently no criminal charges filed against Dewan by law enforcement or the district attorney’s office. The findings presented were crafted by legal counsel and a governance committee, including board president Maimona Afzal Berta and current county superintendent David Toston.
Dewan vigorously defended herself against the board’s claims, asserting that the findings were “meritless, malicious and baseless.” She stated, “I have no knowledge of any wrongdoing and fulfilled all of my duties with integrity.” Her comments reflect a deep concern that the board’s actions are harmful to the educational institution and deter qualified educators from serving the community.
Community reactions were mixed. During the meeting, several Head Start staff members expressed gratitude towards the board for their investigation into Dewan’s alleged unethical practices. “The findings are astonishing but not surprising,” said Mercedes Hill, a Head Start office specialist.
Conversely, Riju Krishna, president of the Association of County Educators, emphasized the systemic nature of the issues, suggesting that such a significant misuse of funds could not solely be the result of one individual’s actions. He called for immediate policy reforms from Superintendent Toston to restore trust and oversight in the system.
The board proposed several policy changes aimed at preventing future misuse of funds, but concerns were raised about their potential impact on governance. Board member Tara Sreekrishnan criticized the proposed changes for centralizing authority and restricting transparency. She emphasized that the findings lack concrete evidence, making it difficult for the public or oversight bodies to evaluate them fully.
The investigation’s fallout has drawn more scrutiny as additional inquiries into the Santa Clara County Office of Education continue, highlighting ongoing tensions between the board and the office’s leadership. Former board president Claudia Rossi and former trustee Kathleen King publicly defended Dewan, dismissing the investigation as a “witch hunt” lacking evidence.
Current board member Don Rocha cautioned that the office had strayed from serving the community’s interests under Dewan’s leadership, stating, “The evidence speaks for itself unless you choose to look the other way.”
As the board navigates these serious allegations, the community remains on high alert, awaiting further developments in this evolving story. With significant implications for public trust and the future of educational governance in Santa Clara County, all eyes are now on what steps will be taken next to address these critical issues.
