St. Joseph, MO – Todd Brockett, a social studies teacher at Robidoux Middle School and president of the St. Joseph National Education Association, is calling for the suspension of superintendent certifications for Dr. Fred Czerwonka, Dr. Melody Smith and Dr. Dan Colgan.
In a news release issued Tuesday by the St. Joe NEA said the suspension of certification is among the most severe penalties the State Board of Education can administer to an individual and would prevent the three from serving as administrators in any Missouri school district.
Click here to read the letter in full.
“A 13-year pattern of financial abuse, neglect and mismanagement by Dr. Czerwonka, Dr. Smith and Dr. Colgan demonstrates they forgot students should be at the center of everything educators do,” Brockett said. “Their actions have undermined the education of our students and shaken the St. Joseph’s community’s faith in its local schools. These administrators must be held accountable.”
This comes after findings from Missouri State Auditor’s Office were released last week which found a staggering $25 million in stipends were paid over the last eight years that were according to the report, “either unapproved, unauthorized or improper.” State Auditor Tom Schweich estimated that total to be in excess of $40 million dating back to 2001. $3.8 million in stipends were paid in 2013-2014.
The news release issued by the St. Joseph NEA went on to state that the pattern of payouts continued through multiple administrations ran by Dr. Czerwonka, Dr. Smith and Dr. Colgan.
“Suspending the certifications of Czerwonka, Smith and Colgan immediately is an important first step in healing our community,” Brockett said. “After a thorough investigation is complete, the State Board should consider if permanent revocation is appropriate.”