WAUKEE, Iowa -- Some Waukee residents disagree that the resignation of former Chief Operating Officer Eric Rose is the end of the story.
Following a special meeting on Monday morning, the Waukee School Board said their decision to accept Chief Operating Officer Eric Rose’s resignation is to “put immediate closure to this matter.”
Waukee resident Jacklyn Kurtz has lived in the city for three years and she was surprised by the scope of the district's misspending of taxpayer dollars.
“Waukee has such a great reputation, especially the school district, so it was surprising and unfortunate,” Kurtz said. She added that she agrees with the school board's removal of Rose and says the board should take even more action.
“It’s obviously a much bigger problem, so I think more needs to be done and there’s probably way more people involved than just him,” Kurtz said.
One of Rose`s attorneys, Steve Wandro, tells WHO Channel 13 he thinks the problem extends beyond his client.
“People are always looking for the easy solution, to find one boogeyman who is responsible for all of this. That’s not the case at all,” Wandro said.
Wandro says the three felony charges filed against Rose have little to do with misspending and are instead focused on the results of a 2016 audit accusing him of falsifying time cards.
“Mr. Rose wanted to make sure that a maintenance person was paid for his time, and it totals $186 dollars,” Wandro said.
As the case works its way through the criminal system, the Waukee School Board President Wendy Liskey is ready to move on, releasing a statement reading:
“We regret that our decision over two years ago has eroded confidence and trust in the district Administration and the board. Our action this morning shows us taking responsibility. It brings immediate closure to this matter to help ensure that district staff can now remain focused on the positive work they are doing for the students of this district.” - Waukee School Board President Wendy Liskey said.
Rose's attorney says he's puzzled by the charges filed over the weekend that he called “old news” and are regarding the two 2016 investigative reports that were since rectified.
When reaching out to the Dallas County Attorney’s Office today, they said they are prohibited by ethical rules to reveal why they believe they have enough evidence to
Three former school district employees have been paid $1.3 million dollars in settlements by the district after losing their jobs, possibly for complaining
There is still one civil case open against Rose and the school district that was filed in January by a former administrative assistant who says she was retaliated against after reporting some of Rose's misdeeds.