News
The woman who runs student health programs in Memphis City Schools will be reassigned after making tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized purchases, including funneling nearly $10,000 in landscape work to her brother-in-law.
An internal audit shows that Nieika Parks broke board policy by entering into contracts without approval, buying food for an office party and spending more than $65,000 to furnish clinic waiting rooms when only $6,000 had been allocated.
Parks did not return calls seeking comment late Monday.
"It was a good audit," said Supt. Kriner Cash. "I ordered it and the recommendations help us move forward."
He said the punishment was "severe, swift and fair" and would affect her career. While the punishment "had not taken place," he said, "it will be issued and it will unfold."
The office of Coordinated School Health is funded with a $355,000 federal grant used for immunization clinics, physical education, nutrition and school staff wellness programs, among other programs that are supposed to align health into higher academic expectations.
The department is currently not in compliance with federal guidelines because Parks was director and also in charge of overseeing its physical education programs, a direct violation of federal rules.
"With the new realignment and the way I am going to merge it with the office for exceptional children and health services, it will be in compliance," Cash said.
The office has a history of problems, dating to 2005, when another audit showed that the staffing ratios for nurses, counselors, psychologists and other professional services were higher than national standards. It also showed that the district had too few physical education and health teachers to meet its goals.
Another director was demoted and reassigned for spending $469,000 in materials "that did not benefit schools, faculty or students," according to the audit.
In December 2008, Deputy Supt. Irving Hamer promoted Parks to director and changed the organizational chart so she reported to him.
It is not clear if Hamer signed off on the invoices, including $678 Parks spent on cake and other food for a "team building" event within the office and contracts she entered without district approval, including $5,702 with TruGreen LandCare and $9,687 paid to Parks Enterprises, owned by her brother-in-law, Tory Parks.
Board policy specifically says employees are to avoid conflicts of interest in companies doing business with the district.
By entering into contracts not reviewed by the contracting office, the district had no assurance that the vendors had insurance and proper background checks to work in schools.
The audit, prepared by Melvin Burgess, recommends Parks immediately reimburse the department for money spent on cake and food for what appeared to be a baby shower instead of team-building exercise.
He also recommended that department employees undergo training on relevant policies and the district "carefully review" employee concerns voices this winter about Parks.
Cash said all of the recommendations have been followed.
In March, key city and county leaders received a packet of receipts and invoices from an anonymous source within the district outlining the expenditures.
Of the 10 or 11 allegations, Cash said only four or five could be substantiated.
An internal audit shows that Nieika Parks broke board policy by entering into contracts without approval, buying food for an office party and spending more than $65,000 to furnish clinic waiting rooms when only $6,000 had been allocated.
Parks did not return calls seeking comment late Monday.
"It was a good audit," said Supt. Kriner Cash. "I ordered it and the recommendations help us move forward."
He said the punishment was "severe, swift and fair" and would affect her career. While the punishment "had not taken place," he said, "it will be issued and it will unfold."
The office of Coordinated School Health is funded with a $355,000 federal grant used for immunization clinics, physical education, nutrition and school staff wellness programs, among other programs that are supposed to align health into higher academic expectations.
The department is currently not in compliance with federal guidelines because Parks was director and also in charge of overseeing its physical education programs, a direct violation of federal rules.
"With the new realignment and the way I am going to merge it with the office for exceptional children and health services, it will be in compliance," Cash said.
The office has a history of problems, dating to 2005, when another audit showed that the staffing ratios for nurses, counselors, psychologists and other professional services were higher than national standards. It also showed that the district had too few physical education and health teachers to meet its goals.
Another director was demoted and reassigned for spending $469,000 in materials "that did not benefit schools, faculty or students," according to the audit.
In December 2008, Deputy Supt. Irving Hamer promoted Parks to director and changed the organizational chart so she reported to him.
It is not clear if Hamer signed off on the invoices, including $678 Parks spent on cake and other food for a "team building" event within the office and contracts she entered without district approval, including $5,702 with TruGreen LandCare and $9,687 paid to Parks Enterprises, owned by her brother-in-law, Tory Parks.
Board policy specifically says employees are to avoid conflicts of interest in companies doing business with the district.
By entering into contracts not reviewed by the contracting office, the district had no assurance that the vendors had insurance and proper background checks to work in schools.
The audit, prepared by Melvin Burgess, recommends Parks immediately reimburse the department for money spent on cake and food for what appeared to be a baby shower instead of team-building exercise.
He also recommended that department employees undergo training on relevant policies and the district "carefully review" employee concerns voices this winter about Parks.
Cash said all of the recommendations have been followed.
In March, key city and county leaders received a packet of receipts and invoices from an anonymous source within the district outlining the expenditures.
Of the 10 or 11 allegations, Cash said only four or five could be substantiated.
