A school administrator in a California school district worked both his full time job in the district, but was also paid for another full time job in a different school district. I consider that Job Bigamy!
The article below give the details, but it indicates the lack of ethics on the part of the administrator AND the apparent lack of ethics policy or enforcement in the School District. Similar situations have occurred locally in the city of Leesburg, FL.
This is one of those situations that should be prohibited in a signed ethics policy by School District employees. The California School District should sue the administrator for all back pay while he worked at two jobs (or at least half of the salary for them, and half for the other District).
I wonder if either school District, or even the local Lake County School District, have firm stated policies on the ability to sue for and recover payments made to someone who also worked somewhere else without disclosure. Do they have a policy requiring disclosure of ANY secondary or freelance job so it can be resolved at the beginning of the situation?
vj
From the San Gabriel Valley, CA Tribune
Montebello district accuses personnel executive of fraud
MONTEBELLO - The Montebello Unified School District is suing one of its administrators, accusing him of fraud for working at another district simultaneously, according to court documents.
Montebello district officials claim in the lawsuit that Director of Classified Personnel Jeff Josserand breached his contract when he became acting director of the personnel commission for the San Bernardino City Unified School District.
Employed by Montebello since May 2006, Josserand worked for San Bernardino from July 2007 through April 2008, according to the court documents.
"That's the whole issue, working at two school districts," said school board member Gerri Guzman on Tuesday. "He is an executive who was freelancing on the side. It's an issue we all need to look at."
Repeated calls to Josserand's cell phone went unreturned Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Josserand is on administrative leave from the Montebello district, which is investigating, officials said. District officials would not say whether Josserand is on a paid leave or when his leave began. They also refused to disclose when they started their investigation. The lawsuit was filed in July in Los Angeles.
The state education code does not prohibit anyone form working two jobs, according to Margo Minecki of the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Speaking generally, Minecki said, a second job could become an issue if it affects the employee's workperformance or they violate the education code.
Montebello district officials in their lawsuit accuse Josserand of neglecting his duties, lying on timecards and using his staff to aid him in his work at SBCUSD.
"Josserand did not perform his duties and responsibilities for the MUSD on a full-time basis but instead elected to provide professional services to the SBCUSD when on duty for Montebello ...," the suit claims.
The complaint alleges 10 unknown "DOES" submitted false and inaccurate monthly time cards that Josserand approved. It also alleges Josserand used his Montebello staff to complete work for San Bernardino.
"Josserand intended to have MUSD pay him and others while they were in fact rendering services for the SBCUSD...," the complaint states.
No other employees have been placed on administrative leave, according to Robert Henke, assistant superintendent of pupil and community services.
The complaint claims the district lost more than $25,000 because of the inaccurate time cards.
District officials declined to speak in depth about the suit and investigation.
"I will verify there is a personnel matter pending with Mr. Josserand," said Philip Wagner, chairman of the Personnel Commission. "In fairness to Mr. Josserand, the district and employee confidentiality, I cannot discuss further."
As of Friday, Josserand's picture and name still appeared on the district's Web site on the Classified Human Resource page.
But the commission appointed Anita Ford as the interim personnel director at its Sept. 15 meeting. Ford is a former personnel director for Los Angeles County School District.
She is expected to oversee Josserand's position but still needs school board approval.
Meanwhile, in San Bernardino, Josserand is being considered for a full-time position, according to SBCUSD spokeswoman Linda Bardere.
She would not disclose the position, but said the school board will discuss it at an Oct. 7 meeting.
