Jonetta Rose Barras’ columns, “Financial mismanagers in D.C.” (Nov. 14 and 15) contains a litany of misstatements and misrepresentations. The following is a comparison of the myths promulgated by Barras and the facts. MYTH: “According to knowledgeable city hall sources, on Sept. 29 [interim Chief Financial Officer for D.C. Public Schools George] Dines sent a note to then-Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee announcing a $4 million surplus for fiscal 2010, which was ending Sept. 30.”
FACT: The DCPS CFO provides a weekly Fiscal Year 2010 Projected Year-End Update to the chancellor that is a snapshot (weekly update) of the schools’ finances at that moment in time. DCPS program managers understand that the numbers change constantly as new information is reported to the CFO from program staff.
