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NEW BEDFORD — Back in December, members of the School Committee were notified that an audit would look into the health insurance plan available to its more than 2,000 employees after “several inaccuracies” were found — including a possibility that former employees, including some who may have passed away, were still receiving benefits. At the time, a school official said she believed the audit would be completed by January and results shared with the public.
Last week, however, the city’s public information officer, Jonathan Darling, provided a statement to The Light that said that city officials were just now “in the process of retaining the services of an accounting firm to audit School Department financial and personnel information related to the provision of employee health insurance benefits.”
The statement continued: “The work performed by the independent auditor will include recommendations to prevent future inaccuracies. The contract with the independent auditor is being finalized and the work is expected to begin shortly. Upon completion, the results of the audit will be made public.”
The update that “work is expected to begin shortly” seems to contradict an earlier statement from José Gouveia, the director of the city’s personnel department, who said his office had “recently initiated an audit” in December of the relevant insurance plans. Darling provided the most recent statement after The Light attempted to contact Gouveia and the city’s personnel department directly.
All the while, School Committee members said they’ve been left in the dark. Bruce Oliveira, a longtime School Committee member, said he has “more questions than answers.”
Chief among Oliveira’s questions, he said, is “What created this? What was found to trigger an audit?” Oliveira said that no district or city official has given him a clear answer about what was found in the first place that made the city look at the insurance system. “This is the first time I’ve heard of any issue on health care in 13 years,” he said.
“As a taxpayer and a School Committee member, I just want to know what you found. Tell me you got a way to fix it, and let’s move on,” Oliveira said.
When The Light asked Mayor Jon Mitchell about the insurance audit in December, he said the school district’s insurance was the primary focus and there may only be “a handful” of inaccuracies in city departments outside the public schools. The annual budget for the district’s health insurance is now $31 million, which provides coverage for the majority of its more than 2,000 employees.
Oliveira, the School Committee member, urged transparency. “The most productive way to correct for the future is [that] the city and school department have to coordinate on this and work together to solve it.”
Email Colin Hogan at chogan@newbedfordlight.org
Time for Seastreak to be awarded a yea-round license to run commuter service between New Bedford and Woods Hole – Martha’s Vineyard – Nantucket. Seastreak should design the schedule to work for all ports and facilitate access to The South Coast Rail for the benefit of the entire south coast region. The “quasi” broken boat line known as the SSA must stand aside and not sabotage Seastreak. Let ridership vote the success of a reliable Seastreak commuter route.
Unfreakin believable!
The City person probably did start it in December, otherwise the error wouldn’t have been caught. Now he deserves a raise! I don’t dare put his name, the comment will not be posted. Great job. Keep an eye, it’s not her first thing swept under the rug.
So that’s 2 more months of paying for deceased employees. Great job NBPS HCS director, your input has caused nothing but problems. Hey School committee, superintendent and Mayor, told you so, you didn’t want to listen. Oh well!
Embarrassing! Enough said.
Must be good to be able to throw away New Bedford’s hard earned dollars. Especially when the doers live outside the city. It’s not their tax dollars. Why care. Just pick up the rug and sweep it under.
After over ten years of the Mitchell Administration, it’s just another reason for change in the Mayor’s office.
And………change in the administration of the School department!
Mayor Mitchell holds the position of Chairperson on the New Bedford School Committee, his role is to participate in the governance and decision-making processes related to the city’s public schools.
Jeff, I myself sent a problem in the school depart to the Mayor via email, the school committee via 3 packets, the superintendent (twice emailed and written 110 pages) and Washington AFSCME via email to prove of covering things up. What’s an employee to do, FMLA leave then retire. What would you do. Tried to follow chain of command now taking legal route.
Jeff, I have two issues. One is with DESE and then other taking legal action. This is most incompetent administration ever. All persons involved will be liable for their actions. ALL.
School Committee, so what do you exist for if you’re going to let the School department do what and when she wants to.
They’ll only react when it pertains to the. It does pertain to them. All their positions. Calling President Elon , direct line.
The employees report problems to the school committee. Superintendent and Mayor and nothing gets done. Perhaps the school committee will have to get a lawyer like I did.
Time for residents to get answers. If it was a bill due from a resident they’d be right at their door to collect it. What gives the School department the right to keep this a secret. Common sense contact the one who took care of the Health care premiums prior to the error and get rid of the person who caused the problem.
Maybe we should all go and vote and vote them all out, mayor, school committee (there’s 1 bad seed out of all of them). Call DOE and report it. It’s already been sent to Gov Healy and a Senator . Cross me once shame on you I won’t let you cross me twice it will be SHAME on YOU, this is for the current school admin. I already told you that. SHAME on YOU.
Residents of New Bedford, we should file a class action suit against the HCS person responsible. Wasting our tax dollars! This needs to STOP, we need to demand answers. Or just like all other School issues will be swept under the rug.
Keep on this issue. We want answers. Who the fudge is the HCS director. She obviously has no clue. Have you all read Facebook lately. At least they don’t ban comments.
A school committee meeting for April is coming soon. Time for residents to speak out. You must contact the superintendents office to be placed on the agenda to speak. Problem is they can overlook your request. So picket, protest, calmly, but be heard. Let them know WE’RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!
April 14, 2025 is posted on NBPS site for next school committee meeting.
Mr. Nobrega, Mr. Treadup and Mr. Pacheco all on past school committees would address all issues presented to them. Respect to the current board especially Mr. Livramento and Mr. Oliveira. Why are issues being brushed over causing law suits, with the school wasting money and losing most cases and more to come. Look at who has entered since and eliminate the problem! There is so much on those employees and will be disclosed as needed. Revealing an attempt was made properly reporting. Following chain of command. Respect has gone down the drain. A person has to do what a person has to do.
They are all FIRED!
Let’s contact the president then Elon can eliminate her position along with other administrators. Keep hiding things and not handling things and that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’ll get RESIDENTS of New Bedford to sign a position. The president already dislikes Massachusetts.
Up date needed. Gov. Healey has been notified. Perhaps Elon wants to come to dance at County Street, he’d have a field day. Paying Health insurance for deceased members. His claim for paying social security for deceased was proven false, he’s gonna love this one.
Elon, come investigate New Bedford public Schools, you’ll actually have 1 real situation of WASTE. P.s. I want a front row seat.
I’m soon going to have them on speed dial.
School committee it’s time for you too take control!
President Elon is going to love this one.
School Committee, taxpayers of New Bedford want answers! School Committee meeting April 14, 2024. No, we DEMAND answers.
When you have ignorant leadership, it’s going to fall apart. Nothing is new on time with this administration and they will try to turn the finger away from them on to you. Unacceptable, we will not allow this to be prolonged anymore!
Inaccuracies, several..that’s only for this incident. There is a black mist hovering over New Bedford. People in charge don’t know what they are doing. Wasting out tax dollars.
That is the devil coming to drag the problem away. Better hold on tight New Bedford, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Shh be very, very quiet. They don’t want you to know what’s really, really happening in the school department.
New Bedford Public schools, currently the worst place to work, if you’re a worker and the best place to work if you’re not.
Even though Elon is stepping back Dodg is still handling things. Sending info to Dodg.
If this were about anyone else, it would be all over he news. Facebook is excellent in keeping it afloat. Oh, I’m making sure it stays front and center.
Incompetence at it’s finest.
School committee meeting should have been yesterday. If you notice more and more info that is public info is being hidden from the public. A toddler could find the info out. Just like how many people have left the school department.
Let’s see what the president thinks of this. Oh, I will send it to him and his crew. They are going to love this one!
Next school committee meeting June 9, 2025, this must be addressed. Stop stalling!
We will make sure we are heard and we will remind every single resident of New Bedford when it comes time to vote. Who sat back and let it all happen.