Miami-Dade County Public Schools OIG

In December 2007, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an Interlocal Agreement with the School Board of Miami-Dade County. Under the agreement, the MDC Office of the Inspector General took on the additional role of Inspector General for, what was then, the nation’s 4th largest school district. The Interlocal Agreement grants to the OIG the authority to investigate any aspect of the school system ensuring the independent oversight of school district operations. The original Interlocal Agreement, for a three-year term, has been continually renewed during which time the school district has achieved an “A” grade for the 5th consecutive year, grown to the nation’s 3rd largest School District and increased its budget to $8.35 Billion.

Debarment of Brenda Steele L.L.C. DBA Scholastic Journeys, Pursuant to Procedures for Sanctions Under School Board Policy 6320.04 – Contractor Discipline; E-141- IG22-0003-SI

April 7, 2025
Ref. IG22-0003-SI
Between 2015 and 2022, Scholastic Journeys was paid over $3 million dollars by M-DCPS. The investigation showed that since at least 2016, Scholastic Journeys had forged bids from competitors and submitted those bids to M-DCPS employees. By doing so, Scholastic Journeys ensured they were the successful bidder, prevented other local businesses from doing business with M-DCPS and deprived students of the most cost-effective option for their travel.  Scholastic Journeys will be debarred for three years, the maximum period available under School Board policy.

OIG Report of Investigation Re: School Principal at Norma Butler Bossard Elementary School Purchasing Supplies from her Family-Owned Business

February 7, 2025
Ref. IG21-0007-SI
Final report of investigation regarding allegations that the Principal at Norma Butler Bossard Elementary School purchased supplies from her family’s business, a conflict of interest and violation of School Board policies.

Investigative Memorandum Re: Assist Other Agency – United States Department of Education Office of the Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, & Orlando Police Department Investigation of Former M-DCPS Treasurer Jessica Walden for Check Fraud; IG23-0002-SI

February 4, 2025
IG23-0002-SI
A joint investigation between Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) Office of the Inspector General, United States Department of Education Office of the Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Services and the Orlando Police Department of MDCPS Treasurer Jessica Walden for Check Fraud.

Employee of a Travel Management Services Vendor Convicted for Tampering with Bids Submitted to M-DSCPS

October 22, 2024
IG22-0003-SI
Michele Hand, an employee of Scholastic Journeys a certified M-DCPS travel management services vendor, was convicted of one count of Bid Tampering, a second-degree felony, on October 18, 2024, in connection with providing price proposals for arranging student out-of-county field trips.

2024 M-DCPS OIG Annual Report

September 30, 2024
Annual report for the Office of the Inspector General highlighting and summarizing the scope of the work undertaken on behalf of the Miami-Dade Public Schools for fiscal year 2024.

Arrest of Former M-DCPS Travel Management Services Vendor

April 30, 2024
IG22-0003-SI
 A former South Florida Manager for Scholastic Journeys, a certified Miami-Dade County Public Schools travel management service vendor was arrested on one count of Bid Tampering.

Receipt of M-DCPS 2nd Status Report and OIG Closeout Re: Report of Investigation – Master Schedule at Miami Carol City Senior High School

March 21, 2024
Ref. IG19-0005-SI
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of the Inspector General’s Report of Investigation 2nd Status Report and Closeout regarding the Master Schedule at Miami Carol City Senior High School.

OIG Report of Investigation: Student Lottery at Somerset Charter Schools

March 5, 2024
Ref. IG21-0005-SI
Status report from Miami-Dade County Public Schools to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of the Inspector General regarding the Final Report of Investigation concerning Somerset Charter Schools' lottery system.


Arrest of Former School Board Vice-Chair Lubby Navarro

January 11, 2024
Ref. IG23-0001-SI
Lubby Navarro, former District 7 Miami-Dade School Board Member and Vice-Chair was arrested today on two counts of Organized Scheme to Defraud and two counts of Grand Theft.

Last of Former M-DCPS Employees Arrested in Organized Scheme to Sell GED Certificates Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced

December 6, 2023
Ref. IG16-0008-SI
Roxanne Insignares, a former Miami-Dade County Public Schools employee, one of three defendants, charged in a scheme to sell General Education Development certificates pled guilty and was sentenced.  Ms. Insignares was sentenced to 364 days jail followed by a period of four years’ probation. Antonio Bouzan, also a former M-DCPS employee and Marta Avalos, not a school employee, previously pled guilty to charges stemming from the same joint investigation by the M-DCPS Office of the Inspector General and the State Attorney’s Office Public Corruption Task Force.  All three were involved in a scheme to sell GED certificates to individuals.

Receipt of Status Report Re: Report of Investigation - Master Schedule at Miami Carol City Senior High School

December 19, 2023
Ref. IG19-0005-SI
Status report from Miami-Dade County Public Schools to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of the Inspector General regarding implementation of the OIG’s recommendation for the Master Schedule at Miami Carol City High School.

Report of Investigation: Master Schedule at Miami Carol City Senior High School

August 2, 2023
Ref. IG19-0005-SI
Report of Investigation concerning the creation of the master schedule at Miami Carol City Senior High School. The OIG received a complaint that alleged the then principal, assigned Educational Transformation Coaches to the master schedule for classes they were not teaching. It was also alleged that the principal overused the school’s substitute teacher funds, which resulted in full-time teachers being unable to attend professional development opportunities because there were no funds left to hire substitute teachers to cover their absence.

OIG Preliminary Inquiry Closure Report – Complaint Re: Violation of the Sunshine Law and Abuse of Power

November 6, 2023
Ref. 23-0028-SC
Preliminary Inquiry Closure Report concerning potential violation of the Sunshine Law and Abuse of Power at a public meeting that took place on April 18, 2023.

OIG Fiscal Year 2023 M-DCPS Annual Report

November 1, 2023
Annual report highlighting and summarizing the scope of the work undertaken on behalf of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 2022-2023.

Receipt of 3rd & Final Status Report Pertaining to the Implementation of the OIG’s Driver Education Program Recommendations

November 30, 2022
Ref. IG-17-0001-SI
On Sept. 2, 2021, the OIG issued a final report on the M-DCPS Driver Education Program. The OIG found that M-DCPS knowingly submitted over $6.2 million of ineligible expenses for reimbursement from the Miami-Dade County Drivers Education Safety Trust Fund. The OIG report contained eight recommendations, to which the M-DCPS Administration embraced its full commitment to their implementation. Since issuing the final report, the OIG has requested, and received, three progress reports from the Superintendent’s Office.

OIG Fiscal Year 2022 M-DCPS Annual Report

October 1, 2022
Annual report highlighting and summarizing the scope of the work undertaken on behalf of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) for 2021-2022.

Receipt of 2nd Status Report pertaining to the implementation of the OIG's Driver Education Program Recommendations, request 3rd and final update in November 2022

Ref IG-17-0001-SI
May 24, 2022
The OIG issued a final report on the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Driver Education Program containing eight recommendations.  A progress report implementing the recommendations was received.

Final Report of Investigation - Able Business Services, Inc.'s Performance Cleaning School Buses under M-DCPS Contract

Ref. SB21-0001-SI
March 3, 2022
The OIG that he had numerous concerns with ABLE Business Services, Inc (ABLE), a janitorial services provider that had been awarded a contract to disinfect, sanitize and clean the district's school bus fleet.

OIG Request for a Second Status Report Regarding the Implementation of Driver Education Program Recommendations

January 31, 2022
On September 2, 2021, the Office of the Inspector General issued a final report on the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Driver Education Program with eight recommendations to be implemented by the school district.

OIG Fiscal Year 2020-2021 M-DCPS Annual Report

November 24, 2021
Annual report highlighting and summarizing the scope of the work undertaken on behalf of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) for 2020-2021.

OIG Final Report of Investigation – Miami-Dade County Public Schools Driver Education Program

Ref. IG-17-0001-SI
September 2, 2021
This final report concerns a matter of mutual interest to Miami-Dade County (County) and the Miami-Dade County School Board as it involves a trust fund created by County ordinance for which Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has been the sole recipient of those funds since inception. As you are aware, the Miami-Dade County Office of the Inspector General (OIG), through an Interlocal Agreement, serves as the OIG for the School Board.

Review of K12 Florida, LLC Transfer of Funds to the Foundation for New Education Initiatives, Inc.

Ref. IG-20-0008-SI
June 29, 2021
Final Report of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG’s) review of the transfer of $1.57 million from K12 Florida, LLC, a virtual instruction provider, to the Foundation for New Education Initiatives, Inc. (FNEI).

OIG Fiscal Year 2019-2020 M-DCPS Annual Report

September 2020
Annual report highlighting and summarizing the scope of the work undertaken on behalf of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) for 2019-2020.

OIG Fiscal Year 2018-2019 M-DCPS Annual Report

December 2019
Annual report highlighting and summarizing the scope of the work undertaken on behalf of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) for 2018-2019.

OIG Final Report of Investigation – Chabad Chayil After-School Care Program

SB-17-0006-SI
Sept. 25, 2019
Investigation into Chabad Chayil’s free use of school facilities to operate an after-school care program; and the School District’s selection and approval of after-school care programs. 

Announcement of Former Principal of Miami Jackson Adult Education Center Plea Agreement

SB-1617-1001
July 24, 2019
Miami Jackson Adult Education Center’s former principal who paid nanny with MDCPS funds sentenced for Official Misconduct and Grand Theft, following joint investigation by OIG, MDCPS Police, and SAO. 

OIG Final Report of Inspection - D. Stephenson’s Construction, Inc.’s Substitution of Electrical Subcontractors on Selected GOB-funded Projects

GOBIG-0015
April 2, 2019
Final Report of Inspection of electrical contractor’s lack of compliance with established M-DCPS requirements pertaining to the substitution of electrical subcontractors.

Memo Re: Arrest of Roxanne Insignares, Antonio Bouzan, and Marta Avalos for GED Fraud

Jan. 24, 2019
Joint investigation by OIG and State Attorney's Office Public Corruption Task Force resulted in arrest of two MDCPS employees and a third person for a scheme to issue fraudulent GEDs for money.

Memo Re: Former Principal of the North Miami Adult Education Center Sentenced to State Prison

SB-1314-1014
Dec. 5, 2018
Former Principal of the North Miami Adult Education Center, sentenced to state prison for kick-back/payroll fraud scheme following OIG joint investigation with SAO Public Corruption Task Force. 

Memo Re: Conviction of Jean Ridore, Former Principal of the North Miami Adult Education Center

SB-1314-1014
Oct. 3, 2018
Former Principal of the North Miami Adult Education Center, found guilty in kick-back/payroll fraud scheme following OIG and SAO Public Corruption Task Force joint investigation.

OIG Fiscal Year 2017-2018 M-DCPS Annual Report

Sept. 13, 2018
Annual report highlighting and summarizing the scope of the work undertaken on behalf of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) for 2017-2018.

Amendments to Board Policy 6320.02 – Small/Micro and Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise Programs and the Revised Office of Economic Opportunity Administrative Procedures Manual

GOBIG-0016
May 8, 2018
Memo regarding OIG’s collaboration with MDCPS staff on Amendment to School Board Policy to be internally consistent with the proposed revisions to the OEO Administrative Procedures Manual.

OIG Observations, Comments, and Recommendations relating to the Draft Revision of the Office of Economic Opportunity Administrative Procedures Manual

GOBIG – 0016
Feb. 2, 2018
OIG’s recommendation to delay formal consideration of Draft OEO Administrative Procedures Manual in order to align Manual to School Board Policy on S/MBE and M/WBE programs. 

  • Office of the Inspector General, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
    2014-2015 Annual Report
  • Arrest of Principal of the North Miami Adult Educational Center for hiring no-show employee
    Ref. SB-1314-1014; October 5, 2015
  • OIG’s Audit Report on M-DCPS Administration of Miscellaneous Continuing Contracts Awarded to Construction Management At-Risk Firms
    Ref: SB 1314-1002; August 21, 2015
  • OIG Final Report of Investigation - Unauthorized Use of M-DCPS Vehicle to Travel Home During Work Hours
    Ref. SB-1415-1003, May 29, 2015
  • OIG Final Report of Investigation: Improper Use of Mathematics Coach Position and False Gradebook Entries to Conceal Non-Compliance with Class Size Maximum Requirements
    Ref. SB1314-1006; March 10, 2015
  • Receipt of M-DCPS’ Status Report and Closeout of the OIG’s Final Report of Investigation Re: On-going Misclassification by M-DCPS of  Construction Contractor’s Licensure Status for Contractor Prequalification and Contract Award Eligibility
    Ref. SB1314-1001; March 4, 2015