PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An audit by the city controller says the Philadelphia School District owes millions to former employees for paid time off, and the district also needs to do a better job of keeping track of its property.
The school district owes $2.8 million to more than 700 employees who have retired or left, according to an audit released Thursday by City Controller Christy Brady.
Unionized employees are entitled to termination payouts within 75 days of their final day, but the audit shows some employees have been waiting four years or more. The district responded that it has new HR software and its backlog of termination pay has been reduced from previous years.
The audit also says the district couldn’t locate 96 items worth $300,000, including smartboards, artwork and a piano.
Superintendent Tony Watlington said there are no indications of pervasive theft.
“We don’t have widespread instances of pianos walking out of buildings, let me assure you of that,” he said.
Deputy Superintendent of Operations Oz Hill said the district is tightening up deficiencies in how it tracks school property.
“It’s a comprehensive effort that we’ve undertaken,” he noted. “It begins with the upgrading of all of our electronic surveillance systems as well as our access control systems.”
Audit also found a backlog of termination pay and school property unaccounted for
Audit also found a backlog of termination pay and school property unaccounted for
