Criminal Investigation of BOE Closed: No Evidence of Criminal Wrondoing

According to Board of Education Chairman Ted Raczka, Superintendent of Schools Michael Frechette received a call Thursday afternoon from Middletown Police Captain William McKenna informing Frechette that the criminal investigation of the Board of Education had been closed.  McKenna is reported to have told Frechette that there were no findings of criminal wrongdoing.

"Our books are our books, and to say that someone was taking money, it's just not true," said Raczka as he was leaving the Democratic Town Committee Convention in City Hall.  "This has totally tied up the school administration who should be concentrating on educational issues."

I want people to think about all the money that's been wasted on this," said Democratic majority leader Thomas Serra who was at the Democratic Town Convention as well.  "It just proves that it was outrageous.  If it had been handled the way we intended - methodical, well-researched - the outcome may have been different."

Serra said that the Democratic caucus intends to pursue a forensic audit of Board of Education finances.

"There could be some improprieties," Serra said.  "But I would not comment further until a careful analysis is conducted."

Serra added that the process was an embarassment to the city.

"It's a shame that we had to put the city police between the administration and the Board of Education," Serra said.  "We will be caucusing in June to talk about the appropriate approach and to study how to change charter language so we don't find ourselves in this situation again."