In November, 2021 the Assistant Superintendent and Technology Director for Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Brian Wheeler, was arrested on charges of embezzlement. By July 2, 2022 GHAPS board of education members had access to a forensic audit report regarding the embezzlement, but they never released this report to the public. On August 16, 2022 they released a brief statement to the press reassuring the public that they had everything under control. Why did they wait six weeks to release a cryptic statement to the public?
Here's an email from former GHAPS school board trustee Barbara Pietrangelo asking questions regarding the embezzlement.
Barb stated in the email, “As I studied the report, I had several questions.” This email was dated July 2, 2022 yet a statement was not released to the public until August 16, 2022. Why did they wait over six weeks to make a statement?
This email also indicates there is confusion as to who is making decisions. The school board should be in charge of releasing information to the public regarding the embezzlement. The fact that one of the members of the board is asking other members of the board about this decision-making process indicates there is confusion and perhaps someone other than the full board is making this decision.
This is confirmed by a subsequent email sent the night before the statement was released to the public. Just before the email was sent there was a Grand Haven school board meeting. At the meeting, Board President Carl Treutler announced he would be releasing a statement the following day to the press. Board Trustee Barbara Pietrangelo expressed her outrage at the chain of events in an email.
Why did the full board not vote on what information would be released to the public regarding the embezzlement? Who is in charge? Who is making decisions? Is this a violation of the Open Meetings Act?
GHAPS taxpayers deserve answers.