SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon's State Audits Division has issued a scathing report on the Willamette Education Service District, saying it found "extensive and obvious weaknesses" in a poorly governed and managed organization.
Among the problems outlined Thursday were out-of-control spending on travel and catering, contracts being awarded based on personal connections, and a lack of communication among district officials. Auditors say they were unable to determine whether the district was even spending at least 90 percent of its tax money on children's services, as required by law.
Officials of the district, which provides services to 21 school districts in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, say they have already fixed many of the problems and should have all corrected by the end of the year.
