Brockton unexpectedly $14 million short in school budget days before new year starts
BROCKTON - Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan held an emergency meeting Friday to talk about an unexpected $14 million deficit in the school district's budget.
The deficit was only announced Thursday night, the same day Superintendent Mike Thomas went on indefinite medical leave with no explanation.
Parents and teachers said they left the meeting with no answers to where the money is or what happened. Instead, the school committee appointed a new interim superintendent, voted for an independent investigation into the missing money and then went into a private executive session.
School begins for students on Wednesday. The missing money isn't part of this year's budget but the community said the sudden change in leadership and a lack of transparency is frustrating.
"We didn't have to come out today if they were going to hold a five-minute session," said Brockton Public Schools employee Tasha Matrix. "We could have got an email or an automated voice call that we always get."
The news comes after the district laid off 130 teachers back in May.
The interim superintendent will speak at another meeting being held Wednesday after the first day of school for students. Parents and family members will also have the chance to speak.