PHILADELPHIA- A more-than-year-long partnership between Office of Inspector General and the Philadelphia School District has greatly strengthened the District’s internal management and spending controls, according to Inspector General Amy L. Kurland.

“Tough times require heightened diligence. Our goal has been to help the District increase oversight and compliance and develop a robust system of internal controls,” said Kurland.

In January 2015, citing the City’s track record of success, the School Reform Commission asked the Inspector General to review the School District’s internal investigative operations and establish a similar model of oversight. With this vision in mind, the City and School District executed a memorandum of understanding, which has since been renewed twice.

Kurland’s assessment of the ongoing partnership came after Deputy Inspector General for the Philadelphia School District Maryanne T. Donaghy delivered a presentation to the SRC on the District’s accomplishments since partnering with the Inspector General.  That presentation came during the SRC monthly meeting on Thursday, September 15^th.

In October 2015, Kurland appointed Donaghy, former Assistant U.S. Attorney and former Certified Public Accountant, to lead the District’s office. Together with the City’s OIG, Donaghy and her team investigate allegations of fraud, waste, mismanagement and abuse. In just one year, the partnership has produced significant results.

“With Amy’s institutional knowledge and Maryanne’s investigative and accounting background, they have the right insight and experience to build a more effective system,” said Marjorie Neff, Chair of the School Reform Commission.

Under Kurland and Donaghy’s leadership, the office has already released ten reports of investigation that have resulted in corrective action for a charter school, six instances of employment discipline, and three policy recommendations to prevent time theft, procurement fraud, and misuse of District funds.

“We believe that if the District can police itself, the public will be confident that the District has a stable and well-run infrastructure that can provide quality education to our children,” said Kurland.

While the partnership is still in its early stages, Kurland is confident of its long-term success.  “Our work at the District is especially important because every case has the potential to meaningfully change the course of a child’s education.”