Musser Gets NEA’s “Integrity & Courage Award”

The St Joseph branch of the National Education Association has honored the St Joe School District’s Chief Financial Officer for integrity and courage. Beau Musser’s lawsuit against the St Joseph School District is still pending, but actions taken over the last couple of week’s indicate the district is angling to settle.

Musser told educators Thursday night that he takes pride in doing what’s right.

“There are those in life who do what they want, and those in life who do what they’re told,” Musser said. “I do take pride in doing what’s right.”

Musser accepted the NEA Integrity and Courage Award Thursday from SJNEA President Todd Brockett. Brockett told members they felt it was a good move for the sake of the taxpayers, the teachers and the students.

Musser filed suit against the district and three officials claiming he’d been placed on administrative leave for blowing the whistle on hundreds of thousands of dollars that had been given to top administrators without the knowledge or approval of the school board. Subsequent investigation unearthed millions of dollars more in stipends and consultant contracts handed out over decades. Some of those were approved after the fact by the board of education.

The FBI, A US Court Grand Jury, and the State Auditor’s Office all launched investigations into the district as the details emerged.