Rockwood School District Audit: Facts and Opinions

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”  Marcus Aurelius

Well, there are some facts, but then there is a LOT of opinion swirling around some parts of our community. Let’s start with some known facts, and then we’ll take a look at some opinions.

Fact:  Rockwood School District received a “Fair” rating in the February audit by the Missouri State Auditor team.
Fact:  Only two school districts, both much smaller than Rockwood, received higher ratings from the state auditing team.
Fact: “Fair” is the most common school district audit rating.

Now, let’s look at the opinions.

Some opinions are worth more than others.

Everything we hear or read is someone’s opinion, based on their particular viewpoint, political agenda or worldview. That opinion does not make it the one-and-only “Truth."

Thoughtful individuals who seek “truth” attempt to weigh and evaluate the expertise, professionalism and credibility of those making claims. 

Relative to Rockwood, should individuals trust the opinions of self-appointed “Watchdog Citizens Group” or the State Auditor, whose professional team of auditors spent the audit?

Instead of listening to a small group of individuals who have consistently mischaracterized the audit findings (more below), let’s see what Auditor Tom Schweich had to say about the Rockwood Administration and Board:

“Tonight, while at this high school, I've seen typical school signs about respect, patience, self-control. I see a lot of that in this district."

“We’ve audited a lot of entities, and I did find a positive attitude here in Rockwood, with the Board.”  

“We did not find any resistance to our work at Rockwood. I’m optimistic the matters we’ve identified in our audit report will be fixed.”

“What I don’t find constructive is to call people to the mat. We’ve done a thorough analysis. As long as it is fixed, that’s what’s important.”

The fact is that Auditor Schweich spoke positively and confidently about the attitude, credibility, and capabilities of Rockwood Administration and the Board. You can check this yourself in the Patch article summarizing the audit report and on Rockwood’s responses and action plan. 

The self-appointed and unelected “Watchdog Group"—Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions, or RS for RS—has another opinion on the audit. A few of their own words:
“Scathing Report”
“Embarrassing Audit Rating”
and then:
“Citizens’ Group Calls for Rockwood Resignations”

Here are two more opinions. They are mine, but shared by a number of my fellow citizens here in Rockwood.

Opinion 1: 
RS for RS statements are demagogic, reckless, hysterical, deliberate, unfair and unsubstantiated accusations on the actions of the School Board and School Administration, and should be discarded as such. Further, they are destructive to our community, the hard working, unpaid volunteers who serve on the Board and OUR ROCKWOOD SCHOOLS.

Opinion 2: 
Trust the professionals that are closest to the truth—in this case the Missouri State Auditor.

The most important opinion, of course, is yours. 

Please read articles published by Patch and other media sources for yourself to make up your mind. 

Please vote Yes for Prop S for the better of your schools and your community.

Sincerely,

Larry Lazar
Eureka