The Detroit Public Schools Transition Manager says he is outraged over the corruption charges almost a dozen principals are now facing.
Judge Steven Rhodes has been in the position for about a month and is speaking out against the allegations.
Rhodes says he will not stop fighting for DPS students, but acknowledges this alleged corrupt behavior hurt students and affect the public's trust in the system.
"I took this job because I want to help the children of the city of Detroit. I will not let these circumstances distract me from my goal," Rhodes said at a press conference shortly after the charges were announced.
He says the action of the current and former employees charged breaches the public's trust and shouldn't represent the majority of the dedicated DPS staff.
The 6 current employees charged have been suspended without pay.
To prevent any fraudulent behavior, Rhodes is putting in place a checks and balances system. Some of those Details of that's include:
- Suspending all purchases by individual schools
- All school-based purchases will require Central Office approval
- Suspending the ability by Principals and Assistant Principals to sign-off on any vendor agreements
- Requiring two signatures on all invoices before they will be paid.
DPS will also conduct a review on all purchases and vendor contracts and have an independent auditors review procedures.
Rhodes says students are the ones affected most when there are allegations of fraud.
Currently students are on Spring Break, but school officials are working to make sure the six schools affected will have leaders put in place by the time they return on Monday.
