The Natomas Unified School District tonight approved a statement related to the Sacramento County District Attorney's intent to seek restitution in the conflict-of-interest case of Frank C. Harding.According to school district trustee Lisa Kaplan, comments previously made by Superintendent Steve Farrar and school district trustee Teri Burns about whether the Natomas Unified School District would pursue restitution were taken out of context.
"In court the D.A. inferred to the judge that he was acting on behalf of the Board," Kaplan writes to THE BUZZ. "Actually, this was not the case. The District and Board cooperated with the D.A. during the entire investigation and at no time prior to the trial was the issue of restitution presented to the Board or District."
Kaplan says statements made by Burns and Farrar were "that they were not aware that it was in the district's purview (to seek restitution), that we had to make a decision, and the district was not aware that it was required as a condition of probation."
As a result of tonight's meeting, the Natomas Unified School District will continue working with the District Attorney's office as it seeks restitution in the Harding case.
Kaplan says this decision relates solely to the Harding's conviction and probation. Issues surrounding the purchase of the West Lakeside property are part of a different investigation.
