This story was updated to correct the date of a transaction and to include new information.
BY AMELIA BISCARDI
Daily Post Staff Writer
A stay at a Disneyland hotel, receipts from Fleming’s Steakhouse and stays at the Four Seasons in San Francisco hotel were found in the Las Lomitas School Districts’ credit card statements from a parent’s Public Records Request.
Susanna Chenette started looking into the district’s finances because of the teacher strike, trying to figure out if the district’s claim that there wasn’t enough money to meet the teacher’s request of a 10% raise was true. Chenette began digging and found what she considers to be discrepancies.
The teachers union accepted a contract for a 16% raise over three years and fully-funded health insurance, following a three-day strike. The district says the new contract will cost at least $8.3 million. Under the new contract, the teachers will receive a 7% raise for the 2023-2024 school year, bringing their average pay to $143,208.
Polito submitted credit card statements for $1,888.38 in January 2023 for hotel stays at a California Distinguished Schools at a Disney hotel gathering that Polito and other district employees attended, according to Board President Heather Hopkins. It was not immediately known who attended the trip or why district representatives were in Disneyland.
“I think this poor board has been taken for a ride by a very sophisticated and experienced superintendent who knew exactly what she could get away with,” Chenette said.
Hopkins said the board will discuss these concerns at the board meeting tomorrow (Nov. 6). An item was added to the agenda to consider if a third-party audit over credit card charges was needed.
“I think the board will try to use the audit to show that it did nothing wrong,” Chenette said. “All the audit will really do is confirm that expenses match receipts; it will not speak to whether this spending is proper or appropriate.”
Polito said in an email to the Post that she often places group meals or group hotel stays on her card and that “total charges on my card often doesn’t reflect my personal consumption.”
She also added that part of her contract allows for $10,000 a year for “professional coaching and development.”
Polito spent $746.21 at Flemings Steakhouse in Palo Alto on December 23, 2022, a Saturday during the district’s winter break according to the academic calendar.
Assistant Superintendent Valerie Park spent a similar amount on Nov.16, 2023, at the steakhouse for $700. Flemings charges over $60 for many of their classic cuts, according to their menu.
“When I travel, I typically book hotels that are much cheaper than the conference-sponsored hotel. I use Hotels.com and almost always get good rates when staying at a nice/safe hotel within walking distance of the conference,” Polito said.
According to a credit card statement included in the Public Records Request, $2,355.18 was spent during a stay at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa, located along Cannery Row.
Polito also paid for stays at San Francisco’s Four Seasons hotel, one posted on Feb. 19, 2024, for $390.17 and another for $151.79 on March 24, 2023.
Polito submitted an invoice for $4,796.43 at the Wallace Hotel in Manhattan, which calls itself a luxury hotel with an arrival date of Sept. 2. A room with a single queen bed there can range from $319-$719 a night.
Polito, who made $315,362 in total pay in 2022, is retiring in August.
This is the second local school district in the past three months where parents have dived into the finances and questioned district spending habits.
Parents criticized former Mountain View Whisman District Superintendent Ayinde Rudolph after they looked at the district’s finances. Parents said Rudolph was spending too myuch on contract that don’t directly benefit students. He hired his former boss as his personal coach and brought in an “energy healer” to mediate with 159 employees for $121,150.
Ayinde had been on leave since Oct. 7, days after he announced the state’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team would be auditing the district for potential fraud.
The board appointed Kevin Skelly, 63, of San Mateo, as interim superintendent on Oct. 22.
Rudolph announced his resignation on Friday, saying that he wanted to focus on his family after a recent health scare. The district will pay Rudolph $98,259 to leave his position without suing.
Polito’s invoice for the Wallace was actually $4,796.43 in September 2024 – six total nights to attend a two-day conference about teaching phonics. She spent $3,690.36 in August 2022 at the Wallace. Assistant superintendent Valerie Park’s September 2024 hotel bill at the Wallace was $1,686.02; Polito’s was far higher.
The only “group booking” of rooms that we found on Polito’s credit card was $20,812.68 for a retreat for the Board and admins in August 2022 in Santa Cruz.
Also Polito’s total pay is incorrect – she made $328,739.40 in 2021/22; $338,138.34 in 2022/23; and $347,866.48 in 2023/24. That is before benefits, which are roughly $70,000. She makes more than SF’s superintendent, and is the most highly-paid superintendent in San Mateo County, despite overseeing only two schools with 1100 kids and an assistant superintendent.
I am frustrated to see these inaccuracies that underreport and downplay the spending, but given that Polito appears to have provided information for this story, I am not surprised. Polito and the Board have not accurately reported administration spending and pay for years. Our Board claims there is not enough money for teachers, but then increased spending on administration yearly during Polito’s tenure.
I am disappointed to see Polito yet again in this article treat taxpayer funds and donations so cavalierly. Her statement about booking hotels within walking distance with good rates is not true, as shown by: $7,627 in uber rides over 2 years; staying at the Monterey Plaza (with an additional $150/night room upgrade charge) instead of the much cheaper Portola Hotel (where the conference was); repeated Friday night stays when conferences ended on Thursday or Friday at 10:30am; and repeated visits to the Four Seasons in SF when no conference was occurring.
In two years and three months, Polito traveled to: the Monterey Plaza (twice); the Wallace NYC (twice); Seattle; Four Seasons SF (several times); Mandarin Oriental and Dupont Circle in DC (separate trips); Disneyland; Dream Inn in Santa Cruz (twice); Andaz in San Diego; Andaz in Napa; Fairmont in Sonoma; Austin; Chicago; and Palm Springs. In just two years. All charged-to and paid-for-by our District.
In two years and three months, Polito spent at least $35,176 on food on her District credit card. She ate at two-star Michelin restaurants.
In two years and three months, Polito spent $7,627 on uber rides. She upgraded her flights on United, she paid for executive shuttles to the airport.
Polito’s contract limits her to $500/month of necessary expenses. To spend more, she was required to obtain written approval from the Board president. We have not found any such written approval for any of these expenses.
And this does not even touch on the horrible affect Polito has had on morale, community, and our teachers.
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Outrageous!
When you say she upgraded her flights, what do you mean exactly? Did she simply pay for baggage or a seat assignment? Or did she actually upgrade to business class? There is a big, important difference between the two. I am seriously asking the question because I would like to know the answer. Thanks!
How does one go about requesting a Public Records Request? Is this directly to the School Board? Would love to see where the RCSD stands..
I’ve always tried to work directly with the Board and admins (superintendent and/or CBO) to request information. Unfortunately, instead of providing the information, Polito sends these requests directly to the District’s lawyers, which incurs a lot of expense. Then the District’s lawyers typically respond by refusing to provide the information or providing only a small portion of the requested information in a formal letter, as if they are responding to discovery requests.
Frankly, it has been like pulling teeth to get information from this District. They will do almost anything they can to prevent people from understanding what is actually going on with the Board and administration, what discussions are occurring, and where are money is going.
For example, we spent $838k on “other employee benefits” in 2023/24 – other similar Districts spent roughly $200k and below. The CBO said the $838k is simply “cash in lieu” benefits, but this does not compute given the percentage of people opting for cash instead of benefits. Despite multiple requests, I still cannot figure out what comprises this category of spending.
Also, we spent $442k in 2023/24 on “travel and conferences;” other similar districts spent less than $200k in this category. I cannot get a straight answer about why we are spending so much money here.
Also, our total admin spend has increased 2% during Polito’s tenure. And in the last 10 years, the share of revenue going to teachers’ salaries has decreased from 40.3% to 31.7%. That’s an 8.6% change! Where does that 8.6% of the revenue go now?
The last paragraph of Chenette’s reply contains a newbie error. If the share of the district’s revenue devoted to teacher salaries really decreased from 40.3% to 31.7%, then it really decreased by 21.3% — Not 8.6%. You see 8.6 is the difference between the numbers 40.3 and 31.7, but it should be expressed as percentage points. The correct way to say the sentence is that “the portion of revenues devoted to teacher salaries decreased 8.6 percentage points from 40.3% to 31.7%.”
I assume Chenette hasn’t done much math or accounting in her lifetime, hence this error. But if she’s making broad allegations like this, she should be more careful. It reduced her credibility when she makes other claims.
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I’m pasting the figures below – you can manipulate these many different ways. Both our % expressions are correct; the difference is that yours looks at their change in % share of the budget and mine looks at their change in total % of the budget. Your way demonstrates an even more dramatic decline in teacher comp – I’ve frankly been trying to avoid drama with this and instead focus as cleanly as possible on the data. The percentage I used is % of total revenue, which I expressed properly. The % of total revenue going to the teachers decreased by 8.6%. The % you’re using is the change in their % share of the budget – also fine to use. But maybe more people would care if I used your % instead and they appreciated that there’s been such a big change? I’m open to your feedback – or any help! And you’re right – I have a science degree and went far in math, but I am most definitely not an accountant!
Here are the figures:
Year certificated teachers salary TOTAL REVENUE
2014/15 9,167,778 22,728,641
2015/16 9,522,778.60 25,340,436.46
2016/17 9,977,576.00 26,075,804.00
2017/18 10,364,488.65 27,770,952.61
2018/19 10,307,290.59 29,312,061.89
2019/20 10,684,841.51 29,612,510.80
2020/21 10638421.69 31,535,592.63
2021/22 11,536,188.88 33,767,000.60
2022/23 11,910,862.65 37,468,771.11
2023/24 12,164,181.81 38,396,979.08
Quite a difference between “percent” and “percentage points”
I question Chenette’s claim that the percentage of revenues going to teacher salaries has decreased from 40.3% to 31.7% A look at the district’s independent financial audit for the year ended June 30, 2023, shows teacher salaries were 39% of revenues – not 31.7% as she claims.
And she doesn’t include employee benefits, which accounted for $8.7 million of the budget.
The audit report is on the district’s website. Go to page 54.
It shows the district’s total revenues on a GAAP adjusted basis were $37,793,768.
Go down to expenditures and find the line that says “Certificated salaries” (Susanna, “Certificated” refers to teachers). It shows a figure of $14,813,228.
Now do the math. $14,813,228 into $37,793,768 is 39.1%.
Look below that and it shows $8,772,869 in employee benefits. That figure doesn’t how much of the benefits were allocated to teachers or other employees.
Susanna, if you got this wrong, are the other numbers that you’re citing incorrect as well?
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“Certificated salaries” includes non-teacher positions, such as admins (including our superintendent). If you look at the unaudited actuals, “Certificated Salaries” is further broken-down into “certificated teacher salaries” and “certificated administrators and supervisors salaries” – have you actually looked at the underlying documents? You have to parse out the data properly.
Here are the figures comparing certificated teachers v. certificated admins since 2014/15 school year:
COMPARISONS OF SALARIES AND INCREASES
Year certificated teachers certificated admin TOTAL REVENUE
2014/15 9167778 1,079,703 22,728,641
2015/16 9,522,778.60 1,289,170.73 25,340,436.46
2016/17 9,977,576.00 1,250,872.00 26,075,804.00
2017/18 10,364,488.65 1,306,822.31 27,770,952.61
2018/19 10,307,290.59 1,406,545.46 29,312,061.89
2019/20 10,684,841.51 1,481,977.62 29,612,510.80
2020/21 10638421.69 1,513,130.92 31,535,592.63
2021/22 11,536,188.88 1,655,280.52 33,767,000.60
2022/23 11,910,862.65 1,725,119.20 37,468,771.11
2023/24 12,164,181.81 1,903,688.61 38,396,979.08
Here are the percentages of total revenue across this period:
Year certificated teachers/revenue certificated admin/revenue
2014/15 40.336% 4.750%
2015/16 37.579% 5.087%
2016/17 38.264% 4.797%
2017/18 37.321% 4.706%
2018/19 35.164% 4.799%
2019/20 36.082% 5.005%
2020/21 33.735% 4.798%
2021/22 34.164% 4.902%
2022/23 31.789% 4.604%
2023/24 31.680% 4.958%
Also, respectfully, I have dedicated hours to unearthing this information. I would encourage you, too, to do your research before commenting. Why would someone be motivated to spread misinformation something so easily verifiable such as public school teacher v admin pay?
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Hi Bill – I keep trying to post but nothing is showing up. The issue is that “certificated salaries” includes both admin and teacher comp (eg, Polito and the assistant superintendent are both “certificated”). You have to look at the unaudited actuals that break out “certificated salaries” further into “certificated teacher salaries” and “certificated admin and supervisor salaries.” After you do that, you’ll find the figures I use.
What your post in-fact shows is that, as teachers’ salaries have decreased as a % of that category of expenditures or revenue, that other certificated positions’ salaries (admins/supervisors) have increased to consume the difference and maintain the overall category spending as a (almost) constant. I posted some of the underlying data above – I’ll post some here too. I genuinely want to figure this out and I appreciate all feedback. We just need to be really careful about parsing the data. Lmk if you would like other data – I’ve spent way too many hours researching and compiling data.
Year certificated teachers certificated admin TOTAL REVENUE
2014/15 9167778 1079703 22,728,641
2015/16 9,522,778.60 1,289,170.73 25,340,436.46
2016/17 9,977,576.00 1,250,872.00 26,075,804.00
2017/18 10,364,488.65 1,306,822.31 27,770,952.61
2018/19 10,307,290.59 1,406,545.46 29,312,061.89
2019/20 10,684,841.51 1,481,977.62 29,612,510.80
2020/21 10638421.69 1513130.92 31,535,592.63
2021/22 11,536,188.88 1,655,280.52 33,767,000.60
2022/23 11,910,862.65 1,725,119.20 37,468,771.11
2023/24 12,164,181.81 1,903,688.61 38,396,979.08
Public Records Requests are easy. The request would be made to the district.
The Board has nothing to do with responding to PRA requests.
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There are serious concerns about the leadership of the Las Lomitas Elementary School District, which warrant a thorough investigation, potentially by the District Attorney.
Board President Heather Hopkins and trustee Jason Morimoto, a former president and staunch supporter of Polito, appear complicit. Hopkins, in particular, is accused of silencing voices questioning Polito’s actions and acting as a proxy to suppress dissent, further consolidating Polito’s influence. This alleged pattern of protecting Polito while obstructing transparency has eroded the board’s credibility with the community.
An independent investigation into the conduct of both Polito and Hopkins is essential to restore trust in the district’s leadership. Furthermore, trustees Hopkins and Morimoto should resign from their positions immediately.
[the above comments were previously made on Nov 2, 2024, under Mountain View Whisman School District superintendent resignation. They are slightly altered and re-posted due to the relevance to the LLESD]
Beth Polito’s statements here are full of inaccuracies. Beth Polito is an expert in gaslighting people. She has blown our tax money on excessive luxury travels over and over again. She is a self-serving, toxic person who has destroyed morale among teachers and staff. She has lost the confidence of our district parents and the respect of our teachers. The only reason the school board is protecting her is to avoid the admission of their own guilt. It’s unbelievable how the school board has allowed misuse of public dollars and tonight at the school board meeting, they would incriminate themselves to protect her once again.
Polito’s explanation does not stand up to even basic scrutiny. The Plaza is never the economical choice in Monterey and NYC is full of hotels at a fraction of that price. Even if true, saying that there were even more expensive options available doesn’t mean that her choices represent good stewardship of the district’s, and the public’s, money. Polito is extremely well paid and should be paying for such upgraded accommodations herself if she thinks they are worth her money.
Personally, I find it unconscionable to rationalize fancy hotels and Michelin star restaurants for the administrators while they say there isn’t enough money for a full time librarian or a full time art teacher or a full time music teacher for Las Lomitas Elementary. Any explanation for this is missing the forest in the trees. We are spending too much on things that do not improve the quality of education in the district and this inevitably comes at the cost of kids. LLESD has lost its way and there needs to be accountability.
Based on Beth Polito’s contract:
“8. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT: The District shall reimburse the Superintendent for all actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Superintendent within the scope of employment in accordance with applicable District policy, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per month without the written authorization of the Board President.”
Polito never received written authorization from the Board President for her expenses exceeding $500/month. Polito’s expenses are also not “necessary” as defined in the code/policies and case law. Ubering to Napa, staying at $400/night hotel, dinning at ultra expensive Japanese restaurant, Ubering back is not the definition of “necessary”. The school board is better off wake up, we are not letting this go.
it’s not just one parent. a huge chunk of the parent community is paying close attention to expenses, especially since the strike. the board and superintendent have all eyes on them.
The board and superintendent have failed in their roles. The superintendent’s use of taxpayer money on unnecessary expenses, with the board’s approval, is unacceptable. It is shocking how the board is manipulating and intimidating parents by cutting expenses for assistant teachers and school buses, yet they make no mention of their unnecessary administrative costs.
Polito’s explanation does not stand up to even basic scrutiny. The Plaza is never the economical choice in Monterey and NYC is full of hotels at a fraction of that price. Even if true, saying that there were even more expensive options available doesn’t mean that her choices represent good stewardship of the district’s, and the public’s, money. Polito is extremely well paid and should be paying for such upgraded accommodations herself if she thinks they are worth her money.
Personally, I find it unconscionable to rationalize fancy hotels and Michelin star restaurants for the administrators while they say there isn’t enough money for a full time librarian, a full time music teacher, or a full time art teacher for Las Lomitas Elementary. Any explanation for this is missing the forest in the trees. We are spending too much on things that do not improve the quality of education in the district and this inevitably comes at the cost of kids. LLESD has lost its way and there needs to be accountability.
I hope the LLESD board will remember their duty to represent the community and act in its best interest. Allowing Polito to remain until next August and participate in selecting her successor is, at the very least, controversial.
It is a fundamental financial principle that the $10,000 allocated for professional development should be used solely for that purpose, with all related expenses adhering to the district’s food and travel policies. Expenses such as staying at Disney resorts, dining at Michelin-starred restaurants (exceeding the $75/day limit set by district policy), and seat upgrades (which are not permitted under district policy) are clear violations of these guidelines even if they are related to the professional development.
I appreciate the sentiment expressed by the Santa Clara County Board in a similar situation: “I support Interim Superintendent Dr. Hinman’s call for complete independent reviews of (the office of education’s) finances and operations,” County Board of Education President Maimona Afzal Berta said in the statement. “Any potential misuse of public funds needs to be investigated immediately.”
#EveryDollarCounts
It’s absolutely shocking, as a taxpayer in this school district for over 30 years, that Dr. Beth Polito has been spending money like this! Dr. Somerville (an honest superintendent from the early 2000’s) would never have behaved this way with the school credit card. And if Dr. Somerville had acted inappropriately, the board members would have taken steps to correct it…
Bullis Charter School got in trouble with the school district many years ago for labeling luxurious dinners, hotels, and even the Principal’s trip to Finland as special education expenses.
What a terrible legacy for a retiring superintendent to leave behind. That’s all.
The board and superintendent have failed in their roles. The superintendent’s use of taxpayer money on unnecessary expenses, with the board’s approval, is unacceptable. It is shocking how the board is manipulating and intimidating parents by cutting expenses for assistant teachers and school buses, yet they make no mention of their unnecessary administrative costs.
The board and superintendent have failed in their roles. The superintendent’s use of taxpayer money on unnecessary expenses, with the board’s approval, is unacceptable. It is shocking how the board is manipulating and intimidating parents by cutting expenses for assistant teachers and school buses, yet they make no mention of their unnecessary administrative expenses.
Given that money is so frequently wasted, why do people keep supporting local bond measures? It looks like most of them are passing this year.
Also, why does it take a PARENT to make a public records request to uncover this fraud? What happened to the auditing and independent oversight that they always promise? Where did those fail and what gives taxpayers assurances that it won’t happen again?
Amelia, thanks for the insightful opening report that will be a big firestorm “clawback” if Grand Jury and State Sup of Public Instruction get involved.
LLSD parents need to wake up and get outside counsel to go after these outrageous administrators.
Board is complicit in this fraud, and Asst. Sup. Valerie Park was brought in from San Joaquin Valley, rather than hiring more worthy candidates from within. Just another bloodsucker administrator to soak taxpayers…
It took a teacher’s strike for reasonable pay increase and full medical to expose this egregious corruption and outright fiscal fraud condoned by school board…..
I believe she actually never moved to the bay area. Her home is still there in Bakersfield.
There is direct contradiction in this story. Dr Polito says she books cheaper hotels within walking distance. But the receipts we have, all with her name on them, are for The Four Seasons, Monterey Plaza, The Wallace, etc.
Instead of directly addressing the receipts (the receipts!), she makes unsubstantiated claims about “group stays” and “less expensive” hotels.
She has lost sight of her duty to our students and has chosen personal extravagance over student-facing programs.
At the very least, she’s a poor leader and should be removed from office immediately.
Polito has to be investigated. Board should fire her right away and Hopkins and Morimoto should both step down. They have damaged the district enough.
What I’m endlessly confused about is how anyone thought this wouldn’t get out and cause an absolute uproar in general, but specifically after a teacher strike over pay! How could Polito and the board allow a strike to happen knowing that the optics of the spending (regardless of dollar amount) were public record? Wouldn’t you want to avoid a strike so that it didn’t call attention to how the budget was being used? Also what possible benefit is it to the board to protect Polito over listening to their own constituents and community members? What am I missing?
PAUSD is the most bloated with a $30,000 per pupil expenditure. Can anyone rationally explain how this is all possible. AT 30 students per class this amounts to $900,000 per class. I know where the money goes but can anyone else figure it out or justify it. The buildings are paid for with bonds. In one of the state’s wealthiest districts, they have to ask for more since property taxes don’t cut it. The state takes all the excess for poorer school districts, and I have no problem with that. What is really happening is we have to educate all the undocumented and I have no problem with that either except we invite too many here and your school tax dollar is going for that thanks to our generous state.
$30,000 per-pupil expenditure (PPE) is a highly misleading number. They might have $30,000 per-pupil funding, but spending in PAUSD is closer to $11,000-$12,000. The rest of the funding disappears in the District Administration Office.
According to SARCs PAUSD spends around 37% of their funding on classroom teachers – a number that should be 50-60% in every California school district (EDC41372).
Unlikely that 63% of revenue is spent at the DO. In most districts, 90% of revenue is spent on pay and benefits, and of that about 8-10% tends to be on administrators.
If anyone wants to see how much people are paid at the district, go to Transparent California.
It is very sad for me to read this. LLESD was and will continue to be the bright spot for students and parents, because the teachers will continue to show up and run it.
It is insane for public funds to be spent this way. The Las Lomitas Superintendent has been out more than in the office her whole term because of illness but yet never got docked pay because of it either. She has lowered the morale of all enployees and wont budge on the strike either. But yet her excessive credit card spending is ok. The board needs to be accountable for her actions and she needs to go no more one more year now!!! I worked at a school district and seen stuff like this go on with excessive spending and excessive hiring of admins. It is disguisting. None of this excessive spending goes to the children, it only benefits those in high positions. When is enough, enough already!!!