Two high-level Broward schools administrators, including one who has already announced her resignation, are facing personnel investigations as a result of an audit that revealed failures in the district\u2019s attempt to hire a company to oversee district construction, Superintendent Howard Hepburn said.<\/p>\n
The district\u2019s human resources department is investigating Jennifer Andreu, executive director of procurement, and her boss, Chief Operating Officer Wanda Paul, Hepburn told School Board members on Tuesday. Paul\u2019s investigation comes despite her submitting a letter last week announcing she planned to resign<\/a> in April.<\/p>\n A third employee, purchasing agent Mark Cohen, also is under an HR investigation, district spokesman John Sullivan confirmed Wednesday to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.<\/p>\n \u201cThe individuals referenced are currently under investigation as part of the audit findings,\u201d Sullivan said. \u201cThe\u00a0employees have been reassigned pending the outcome of that process.\u201d<\/p>\n The three couldn\u2019t be reached for comment by the Sun Sentinel\u00a0despite attempts by phone and email.<\/p>\n \u201cHR will conduct interviews and examine relevant documents and past decision-making to ensure maximum accountability,\u201d Hepburn told the School Board on Tuesday. \u201cI\u2019ve asked HR to proceed with this investigation as swiftly as possible without compromising the integrity of the process. This is a high-priority.\u201d<\/p>\n A report released last month<\/a> by Chief Auditor Dave Rhodes\u2019 office found numerous problems with a solicitation for a vendor to oversee hundreds of millions of dollars in district construction.<\/p>\n Among the findings: The district changed the type of management arrangement it would seek without informing the School Board, made major changes to the selection process after bids had already been received and failed to ensure the companies selected met the district\u2019s qualifications.<\/p>\n The audit listed multiple examples where the district\u2019s actions may have discouraged fair competition and may have violated state law.<\/p>\n As a result of the audit, Hepburn asked the School Board to reject all three bids<\/a> received.<\/p>\n