Posted by Some Guy, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Oct 31, 2012 at 8:40 am

I love it when school boards listen to the words of the man who has the keys to the castle instead of doing their own investigating, then when it blows up in their face, they claim ignorance.

Of course, you have to wonder what led them to allow the same person to be Superintendent and CBO, that's just plain stupid. I mean, REALLY stupid.

Posted by Henry Riggs, a resident of the Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle neighborhood, on Oct 31, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Henry Riggs is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

Maybe I'm naive but when I joined a non-profit board eight years ago, the concept of fiduciary responsibility was very clearly spelled out to me and the other new directors; and obviously it was in guidelines for every management position. We knew it was not our money we spent and that we were accountable; we reviewed the cash flow chart for every (monthly) meeting. In any case, several non-profit financial scandals have been widely published in the last ten years, this is not from Mars. Where was the school board when budgets were approved w expenditures that far exceeded authorizations? The diversion to home construction is one thing, but if the Woodside board members are going to ask Mr Hanretty to help pay interest on the loan that was under their noses, maybe they should chip in as well.

Posted by Citizen, a resident of the Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde neighborhood, on Nov 1, 2012 at 6:47 pm

"We actually didn't know we were in financial trouble," Mr. Parker said. "Basically he was cooking the books."

Yes, Mr Hanretty cooked the books, committed crimes, and lied to 2 Boards who simply believed him.

However, the PV Board did know they were drawing down reserves and overspending year after year. Anne Campbell, County Superintendent, stated at a public meeting that the PV District had been warned by county staff multiple times to rein in spending. Not every problem can be placed at Mr Hanretty's feet.