Penn Hills School Board Members Go On Defensive Over Budget Mess
PENN HILLS (KDKA) -- The Penn Hills School Board met Monday night after the Common Pleas Court recently gave the school district the green light to borrow up to $18 million so it can pay its bills.
Board Director Heather Hoolahan said she had no idea the amount of financial trouble the district was in until a couple of months ago.
Another board member, Paula Calabrese, said, "We were not given the information we needed; it's illogical to think we're not telling the truth."
Board President Denise Graham-Sheeley said she trusts nothing anymore.
"I didn't know we would start the year with a $9 million shortfall until March of this year," she said.
Richard Liberto, the former Penn Hills School District business manager who is now on paid leave because of the financial problems, has said previously that he warned the district time and time again about a worsening debt problem to no avail.
One board member made a motion to stop giving Liberto a salary while he's on leave; however, the motion failed to be seconded.
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