KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Chief Financial Officer for Kalamazoo Schools has been fired for allegedly mishandling some of the money he was supposed to be safeguarding.
School Trustees received a report on the activities of CFO Jim English Wednesday, huddled with their Attorney, and after a two hour closed session Wednesday night, December 28, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to terminate him on the recommendation of Interim Superintendent Cindy Green, who says he committed district resources without board approval in violation of district policy.
Green says English also engaged in a pattern of behavior that was inconsistent with good business practices.
According to Green, Former CFO Laura Kayser will be coming out of retirement to serve in the position.
A change in the job description will have her reporting directly to the Board of Trustees. Board President Patti Sholler Barber says they acted on a lengthy report on English’s activities that they received not long before their special meeting.
Trustee Tandy Moore says the entire report that led to their decision to terminate will be posted on the KPS Website.
English had only been with Kalamazoo Schools for a couple of years.
Kayser, a former District Finance Director who retired in October, will assume the post of KPS CFO on Monday, January 2, 2023.
Reporting by: John McNiell
