Last January the MCFUSE Accountability Committee (MAC) asked the District how much money was spent on the Impact Aid lawsuit. The Superintendent refused to answer until forced by threat of a lawsuit from the Independent and an April nine-page letter from the New Mexico Attorney General.

Meanwhile, Superintendent White was quoted in the Gallup Herald that about $400,000 was spent to date. This article ran after the District’s Impact Aid appeal was denied by a panel of three federal judges.

The figures the Superintendent provided to MAC differ from what the Superintendent gave the Herald. These figures totaled $213,556.30.

Accountability for about $186K is missing. Where did this money go? Was it spent on the Impact Aid lawsuit? If so, what was it spent on? Why is the Superintendent refusing to disclose how this money was spent? Or did the Herald misquote the Superintendent?

With collective bargaining, the District must open its books. Sharp union members would be able to find this money so it could be returned to the classrooms. Without collective bargaining, getting budget information is much more difficult, and even more so under the current Administration.

These are the facts, you decide. Should Superintendent White explain this $186K discrepancy? What is your opinion? MCFUSE wants to know!

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