News Update

L.A. County school district misled public about finances, state audit finds

A state audit found that officials at Bellflower Unified School District, a 10,000-student district north of Long Beach, misled the public and the school board about the district’s finances while not providing adequate resources to students during the pandemic, the Press-Telegram reported.

Among other things, the audit found that the district amassed an $83 million reserve while not providing needed services and resources to students, especially those with disabilities.

Superintendent Tracy McSparren acknowledged that the audit showed “some areas” for improvement, but defended the district’s overall performance.

“Despite that, the auditor’s review determined no apparent board conflict of interest or unethical or wasteful actions,” McSparren wrote in an email to the newspaper, “and affirmed that the District included educational partners in developing plans.”