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(3/9/10): Cincinnati NAACP and Baptist Ministers Conference Request Governor to Audit CPS |
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The Cincinnati NAACP is asking the State of Ohio to audit the $1 billion Cincinnati Public Schools Facilities Master Plan. The Cincinnati NAACP and the Baptist Ministers Conference believe that the Cincinnati Public Schools have intentionally misled the State of Ohio and the City of Cincinnati in their inclusion numbers and engage in fraud.
March 9, 2010 Governor Ted Strickland Governor's Office Riffe Center, 30th Floor 77 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215-6108 Fax: (614) 466-9354 . Dear Governor Strickland: . In the Cincinnati Enquirer today there is an article titled NAACP demands that schools complete audit of minority list 'Incompetence' or fraud against taxpayers?'. The Cincinnati NAACP is writing to ask the State of Ohio to audit the $1 billion Cincinnati Public Schools Facilities Master Plan. The Cincinnati NAACP and the Baptist Ministers Conference believe that the Cincinnati Public Schools have intentionally misled the State of Ohio and the City of Cincinnati in their inclusion numbers and engage in fraud. . The Cincinnati Public Schools started an audit after the Cincinnati NAACP and Baptist Ministers Conference leadership noted a $9 million contract awarded to a White owned company but was counted as minority owned. This number has grown to as much as $28 million. CPS had reported to the community that contracts awarded to minorities were 12 percent or $84 million. This number has dropped to $63-$56 million and continues to drop. The district claims $707 million was awarded to date. African Americans have received 1% of the total contracts extended in a city with a population of 47% African American and a school district that is 70% African American. Also, our institutions have noted high levels of change orders on this $1 billion project. . The district has refused to stop construction until a full audit is complete. Upon our inquiry regarding the inclusion numbers the response of the CPS district was to remove all inclusion numbers off the website and eliminate the diversity department. I am asking for the State of Ohio's direct intervention to resolve this matter immediately and fairly. Please feel free to contact my office at (513)-281-1900 if you have any questions. . Sincerely, . Christopher Smitherman President of the Cincinnati NAACP . Mary Taylor, CPA Brewster Rhodes
. Reference Cincinnati Business Journal Article: NAACP, Baptist Ministers request audit of Cincinnati Public Schools |
