MITCH NEEDELMAN

State Representative, District #31

 Chair: Environmental Regulations l  Vice Chair: Juvenile Justice Committee
lState Resources Council l Justice Appropriations
lSelect Committee on Juvenile Detention Facilities

Inspector General H. Walker Feaste III, FCC-OIG
445 12th St.
Room 2-C762
Washington, D.C. 20554

Dear Inspector General Feaster,

I recently received the preliminary report of the FCC-OIG regarding the investigation of the E-Rate program by the Brevard County School District. Although I was sure of the results when I asked for the investigation I am not in concordance with the suggested penalties.

Although it was recommended that the funds for the server in question be returned, I strongly feel this would place the financial burden on the taxpayers of Brevard County who should not be held responsible for the misdeeds of the individuals involved. A more appropriate use of the money would be for the betterment of the children in the District who qualify under the Title 1 school provisions.

On the same note, I concur with the Brevard School Board that barring the District from participating in Federal programs, such as the E-Rate program, would only be a detriment to the students, parents and taxpayers of our County. These are innocent victims.

To that end, I am calling on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to begin an investigation under Florida Statutes to determine if there is a case for criminal prosecution. I will also ask the Florida Department of Education to investigate any other statewide abuse. As an assistant superintendent of the Brevard County School Board was quoted in Florida Today, “Many other school districts have taken advantage of this more than Brevard”.

Regards,

Mitch A. Needelman
State Representative
District #31