To the editor:
Just when you thought you have seen it all, once again the Waukee Community School District defies logic and insults its taxpayers.
Eric Rose, a COO with questionable ethics, gets another 2 percent raise even after two investigations proved a number of unethical actions and the possible intimidation of those who reported him.
His actions cost the district — that’s us, the taxpayers — close to $1 million excluding legal fees, with two more pending lawsuits for intimidation leading to resignations.
This insult comes via the Waukee School Board with one brave dissenting vote. We were taught crime does not pay, but in this case it looks like it does.
While teachers’ salaries are in negotiations, Mr. Rose moves to front of the line after already receiving a 6 percent raise last year in the wake of investigations proving his repeated violations of district policies. Are this bonus points for his admission of wrongdoings?
What a sad lesson for the children and residents of Waukee.
As the district is being audited by the state, we see the district’s chief financial officer resigns for another job. This gives the appearance of a larger mess because she is a named defendant in an upcoming lawsuit. Of course, when asked to comment: No comment.
The Whistle Blower’s Law needs some amending. This fiasco has cost the district in more ways than one in their defense of those who fail in their positions. Employees with the courage to report waste, fraud and malfeasance suffer intimidation and retribution not only by the rightly accused but by an incompetent and arrogant school board.
I urge both Republican and Democrat officials to see this example of corruption as an opportunity to learn. Three employees lost their careers for doing the right thing. If this law cannot provide better protection, it will cost us all millions that could be put to better use, a corruption tax to be more accurate.
Tom Mazza
Clive
