Business Manager on Administrative Leave

Woonsocket School Department Business Manager Stacey Busby has not been present over the past several weeks for budget discussions and has not been available at the High Street office.

According to Superintendent Dr. Giovanna Donoyan, Busby is on administrative leave with pay from her duties with WED. Although Donoyan would not comment on the reason for the leave, the business manager's break comes on the heels of the news that Woonsocket education finished fiscal year 2011 with a $2.7 million deficit. Busby had predicted a surplus for the year and in early December when an audit by Braver PC revealed the final numbers. 

The absence of the sole accountant on WED's payroll occurs at a crucial time for education finance reporting. The department's 2011 deficit was largely to blame for a January 2012 in the city's bond rating by Moody's Investor Services. As a result, State Revenue Director Rosemary Booth Gallogly said that to avoid state intervention, WED must submit complete and accurate reports regarding year to date expenditures and cash flow by Jan. 31 - a duty which under normal conditions would fall to the business manager.

Instead, the task has been spearheaded by retired business manager Dina DuTremble, a temporary hire paid for with city rather than school funding.

"It's the first information we've received in so long with any ounce of credibility," Finance Director Thomas Bruce said of DuTremble's work.

DuTremble has yet to complete the requested reports but has been in contact with Gallogly and is expected to deliver complete projections for 2012 in the upcoming weeks.