Sarno: Putnam practices "disgraceful"

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - “Disgraceful” is the word that Mayor Domenic Sarno uses to describe the former financial practices at Putnam Vocational Technical High School.

A 57-page audit report, publicly released Tuesday, detailed allegations of an illegal checking account, unreported transactions, poor inventory and record keeping, and misuse of vocational labs and materials, among other concerns. Four people have been fired since the audit began 13 months ago.

“The disgraceful financial practices that had been taking place at Putnam Vocational Technical High School are serious and disconcerting,” Sarno said.

The mayor said that after hearing about concerns regarding these financial practices, he directed city departments to conduct the audit thoroughly and completely. Sarno says that the audit was done in a transparent manner. “This issue is not, and should not be about politics,” he said.

Since the work on the audit began, the School Department has implemented new practices at Putnam, such as implementing a new student activities account software program, and documenting formal policies and procedures.