By Evan Allen, Globe Correspondent
Ruth Quinn Berdell, business manager for the Wellesley Public Schools, went on voluntary paid administrative leave Friday, School Committee chairwoman Suzy Littlefield said today.
The decision was made by superintendent Bella Wong, but the School Committee has been in conversation with the School Department, Littlefield said in an interview.
Berdell, who has been employed by the town for 26 years, came under fire following the discovery last spring of about $169,000 in uncollected school lunch debt. An audit triggered by the discovery found sloppy bookkeeping practices in the business office. No misappropriation was discovered.
Berdell, whose salary is $138,211 this fiscal year, could not be reached for comment today.
Assistant Business Manager Patrick Spencer is currently handling the business office, said Addie Doherty, Wong’s administrative assistant. Wong could not be reached for comment.
The news follows Wong’s Nov. 10 announcement that she is resigning, effective at the end of the school year. In a letter to parents and staff announcing her resignation, Wong stated that “ongoing public concern over school operations protocols” had put the district on the defensive, and undermined her capacity to advocate for it effectively.
Recently, the School Department came in for more criticism for approving payments totaling about $100,000 to two employees to compensate them for unused vacation time. Berdell was owed $86,000, which she will receive over a two-year period, said Wong.
Another audit of the business department is currently being conducted by the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials. The results are due within the next few weeks, said Littlefield.
Evan Allen can be reached at evannn524@gmail.com.
