Taxpayer Dollars at Stake: Millions in Cost Overruns Uncovered at Woodland Hills School Project
Imagine a school renovation project designed to enhance education, only to uncover a financial mystery that leaves taxpayers scratching their heads. That’s exactly what’s happening in the Woodland Hills School District, where a recent investigation has revealed millions of dollars in cost overruns at Edgewood Elementary Steam Academy. But here’s where it gets controversial: documents obtained by Action News Investigates show that the project, initially budgeted at $20 million, has ballooned by an additional $3 million. And this is the part most people miss—some school board members claim they were completely unaware of certain expenditures.
The project, divided into two phases, was meant to modernize the school, but the financial discrepancies have raised serious concerns. Board members Doneika Griffin and Darnika Reed expressed shock when presented with the documents. “These are taxpayer dollars, state dollars, and it’s just concerning,” Griffin stated, emphasizing the responsibility to monitor such spending. Reed added, “I don’t remember those change orders at all. It doesn’t sound appropriate.”
So, where did the extra money go? The most significant cost increase—a staggering $1.7 million—stemmed from contractors failing to pay prevailing wages, the minimum wages mandated for government projects. This oversight alone raises questions about oversight and accountability. School District solicitor Matthew Racunas clarified that the board had approved all change orders except for a $329,000 request pending at the time of the investigation. However, the timing of the district’s decision to post these change orders on the meeting agenda—just days after sharing them with Action News—has sparked suspicion.
“It’s concerning to me that just after your Right-to-Know request, all these things are being shown,” Griffin noted, questioning the motives behind the sudden transparency. Adding to the intrigue, both board members recalled Superintendent Joe Maluchnik expressing concerns about the Edgewood change orders shortly before he was placed on administrative leave last fall. Griffin wondered aloud if this was one of his “aha! moments” that led to his departure.
The financial fallout doesn’t stop there. Griffin voiced worries that these cost overruns could lead to a tax increase for Woodland Hills homeowners, further burdening the community. In response to these and other financial concerns, Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced that the state Department of Education and the Office of Budget will conduct a full performance audit of the district’s finances from January 2022 to the present. The audit aims to determine whether the district has complied with the PA School Code and other regulations.
Salisbury’s decision comes after numerous complaints from residents about alleged misuse of district funds and policy violations. “Regardless of how the audit turns out, the community has spoken loud and clear—they want answers,” Salisbury stated. But here’s the real question: Is this a case of bureaucratic oversight, or is there something more troubling at play? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below. Could this be a wake-up call for better financial transparency in our schools, or is it an isolated incident? Let’s start the conversation.
