School Board to revamp whistle-blower policy

TAMPA -- Hoping to avoid another public relations disaster like the one that occurred recently with whistle-blower Doug Erwin, the Hillsborough County School Board is considering a new policy for employees who report wrongdoing.

The board will schedule a public hearing soon on a new whistle-blower policy, which outlines procedures for employees who report suspected wrongdoing and provides safeguards against retaliation.

The board received a draft of the policy at its Tuesday meeting. It states that employees must report violations of laws or policies to appropriate officials or face disciplinary action.

Board members also decided to hire an outside auditing firm to examine Erwin's wide-ranging claims that $100-million was wasted, primarily in shoddy construction projects.

The board had planned to use an appointed task force of citizens to sort through more than 1,000 documents submitted by Erwin, the school system's former director of operations. But the board said an outside firm would be more appropriate, given the volume of documents and their financial complexity.

Erwin, who retired this month, said he reported wrongdoing for years but was ignored. His allegations led to two investigations that found district funds were misused in the grounds and maintenance departments.

Before he retired, Erwin said the school district was making him the target of its investigation.

In other business, the board appointed two principals to fill vacancies. Pamela Campbell-Peralta, assistant principal at Chamberlain High, was promoted to principal. She will replace Henry Washington, who was appointed principal of Middleton High.

The board also named Plant City assistant principal David Steele principal of King High. He replaces Richard Bartels, who was recently named principal of Freedom High.

The appointments are effective Feb. 20.

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