The Santa Clara County Office of Education reported that federal auditors discovered more than $135,370 in Head Start funds were misused during the first half of 2024 to pay for the wages and credit card expenses of a staff member who was not part of the program, San Jose Inside reported February 19.
U.S. Head Start auditors told local education officials they discovered “a pattern by previous administrators of scoffing grant rules and rejecting calls for oversight” by agencies that oversee the program.
The report followed the October firing of Mary Ann Dewan, the Santa Clara County superintendent of schools.
“Previous administrators refused to comply with calls for public review, and neglected to engage the community members being served by the grant – a federal mandate,” the education office said in a statement.
“The failure has been remedied,” the office added.
County Board of Education President Maimona Afzal Berta said that under the previous superintendent, the office eventually confirmed the misallocation of funds and reversed the charges out of the Head Start program, but only “after months of a failed cover-up.”