A comprehensive audit of the Val Verde Unified School District in Perris that was prompted by actions connected to an overseas education program uncovered “serious compliance concerns,” according to findings published Wednesday.
“Our responsibility is to safeguard the integrity of public education and ensure that taxpayer resources are used lawfully and transparently,” Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez said. “This audit identified serious concerns that merit further review by the appropriate authorities. We will continue to act with integrity, follow the law and ensure that the interests of students and the public remain at the center of every decision.”
The school district was made aware of the findings Wednesday but did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
According to the county Office of Education, the audit, which was authorized under provisions of the state Education Code, followed revelations of a “concerning relationship” between VVUSD and Pegasus California School in Qingdao, China.
The Office of Education retained the Los Angeles law firm founded by former U.S. District Judge Stephen G. Larson to scrutinize the district’s operations. Larson’s staff also previously handled a substantial audit of the county’s Department of Child Protective Services.
Officials said the VVUSD probe began after evidence surfaced that high school diplomas had been approved by the district for non-resident students at the Chinese school. There were also indications of potential malfeasance and conflicts of interest, according to the Office of Education.
Larson’s findings resulted in a narrative spanning more than 1,000 pages, which the Office of Education condensed to a single-page executive summary.
“The audit identified serious compliance concerns,” the summary stated, affirming evidence pointing to the likely issuance of diplomas to “students who did not meet applicable legal or residency requirements.”
“There was evidence raising concerns regarding internal controls, fiscal oversight and the potential for unlawful financial practices associated with the district’s international program,” according to the summary. “These findings are based on documented evidence reviewed during the audit and are subject to further review and determination by the appropriate authorities.”
The Office of Education said that, along with the VVUSD governing board, the Office of the State Controller, administrators for the California Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office had been informed of the findings.
“The Office of Education … remains committed to ensuring appropriate corrective actions are taken where warranted,” according to the agency.