Santa Clara County Office of Ed Confirms Misuse of Funds in Dewan Case

BREAKING: The Santa Clara County Office of Education has confirmed significant misuse of public funds under former Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan following a lengthy investigation. The board revealed its findings during a contentious meeting on Wednesday night, indicating a troubling pattern of financial misconduct that raises urgent questions about accountability and oversight.

The investigation, which has been ongoing for over a year, culminated in a report detailing 14 findings of impropriety. Among the most alarming discoveries is that Dewan allegedly misused over $135,370 in federal Head Start funds, a program designed to support low-income children. The board characterized these actions as a failed cover-up aimed at undermining its authority, a claim Dewan refuted as a mere communication error.

During the explosive meeting, board members expressed shock at the findings, which include allegations that Dewan redirected grant money for unrelated expenses and used public resources for personal legal matters. Board President Maimona Afzal Berta and Superintendent David Toston stated that the report’s conclusions were based on multiple investigations conducted over the past two years.

Dewan, who was removed from her position in a 4-2 vote classified as “without cause,” has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. In a statement, she described the board’s accusations as “meritless, malicious and baseless,” asserting that she fulfilled her duties with integrity. “This pattern of public attacks is harmful to the institution,” she added.

Community reactions were mixed. Some attendees praised the board for tackling the issue, with Mercedes Hill, a Head Start office specialist, expressing relief at the findings. “The findings are astonishing but not surprising,” she said, reflecting a sentiment shared by many who have raised concerns over the last two years.

Conversely, Riju Krishna, president of the Association of County Educators, challenged the notion that a single superintendent could be solely responsible for such extensive financial mismanagement, calling for significant policy reforms to prevent future incidents. “What is your plan to rebuild school oversight and ensure this never happens again?” he asked Toston directly.

The board has proposed several policy changes in response to the investigation, but not all members agree on the path forward. Tara Sreekrishnan, voicing her concerns, warned that some proposed changes could centralize authority and undermine transparency. “The findings raise serious concerns but are presented without evidence, making it difficult for any oversight agency to fully evaluate them,” she stated.

As the board navigates these turbulent waters, a backdrop of other investigations into the office’s operations looms large. The ongoing scrutiny highlights a fractured relationship between the county’s educational leadership and board members, with accusations of personal favoritism in contract awards also surfacing.

The situation continues to evolve, and community members are left wondering how this financial scandal will impact the educational landscape in Santa Clara County. The board’s next steps will be critical in restoring trust and ensuring that misuse of public funds does not happen again.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as officials work to address the fallout and implement necessary reforms.