Sept. 5 Newsletter: RPS auditor leaves quietly
Weather: Hot and sunny, high of 89. Cooler weather moves in late Saturday night.
On this date in 1991, all Safeway grocery stores begin to accept credit cards.
RPS has been without an auditor since May, when the previous one departed quietly
Douglass Graeff, who previously held the position, left under unclear circumstances.
- Graeff’s departure came in the same month that Jim Osuna, who was in charge of investigating waste, fraud and abuse at City Hall, left under an undisclosed agreement.
- Graeff said he can't talk, per his agreement with RPS. The School Board chair declined comment, citing district policy.
Graeff found earlier this year that the division’s fraud and abuse tip line was not checked in more than a year, and the account had more than 700 unopened emails.
He also found that RPS bus drivers were paid an estimated $1.8 million in overtime in 2024, leading to a lengthy feud between the district and the union representing the bus drivers. Read more here.
Kamras recommends keeping Clark Springs closed for now. The School Board opposes that idea.
The school, which was the temporary home of Fox Elementary while it was rebuilt, sits empty. Superintendent Jason Kamras is recommending it stay that way for now.
He said the building needs a new HVAC system and other repairs, estimated at $4 million, and the district doesn't have the money right now. School board members said they want to see it put in use, potentially as a new site for Open High. Read more here.
Warner asks Richmond-area officials to seek regional solutions to infrastructure issues
A series of water-related crises in the greater Richmond area this year should spark bolder and more collaborative thinking about how to get new investment in critical infrastructure, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., told a group of local and state officials who gathered in Hopewell Tuesday for a roundtable discussion. Read more here.
High school football report: Week 2 schedule has early playoff implications
It's Richmond against the world, or at least the region, this week. Varina and Highland Springs both host top teams from outside the 804.
Meanwhile the area's private school teams look to remain hot after a combined 4-0 start last week, including St. Christopher's headline win over Huguenot. Read more here.
Lorenzo Gibson’s life in motion is a lesson in discipline and patience
His students know him as "Master Gibson," and parents laud his ability to teach martial arts with an emphasis on character and integrity. But Gibson is also an accomplished painter, whose work is displayed around Richmond. Read more here.
In other news
- Chesterfield County adding speed cameras outside schools (VPM)
- Thalhimer countersues Republic in latest Diamond District developers spat (Richmond BizSense)
- Hop on Richmond's new First Fridays art trolley (Axios)
The editor's desk
Happy pawpaw season to all who celebrate. And if you're not in the know, now's a great time to revisit our primer from last fall.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
Sent this by a friend? Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.
Want to support The Richmonder? Become a donor for $9.99 a month and keep quality local journalism in the community.
