PARIS, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) documents break down their findings in $3.24 million in questionable costs, unallowable expenditures, and unallowable salaries.
The documents provided by the ISBE were sent via electronic mail to Paris-Union School District Superintendent, Jeremy Larson and to school board president, Kein Knoepfel, via U.S. mail. The documents include preliminary reports, one for nutrition grants, one for other monitored grants, and the final report.
According to the final report, more than $1.6 million in total unallowable items were charged to the food service account.
Including over $1.5 million in unallowable expenditures and $113,840 in unallowable salaries. That account includes both federal and state program regulations.
Some of the unallowable expenditures charged to the Nonprofit Food Service Account include:
- Pizza for teachers – $34,989
- A cargo van – $25,526
- A boiler – $40,698
- 28 Laptops/fiber/WIFI – $352,913.83
As for those ‘unallowable expenditures?’
The final review says the funds must be returned to the nonprofit food service account.
As for the ‘other monitored grants?’
In several findings, the report states that ‘the grant recipient did not maintain adequate financial records,’ as well as ‘not submitting accurate periodic expenditure reports.’ The report also states salaries, wages, and/or benefits paid from certain grant funds were not approved or accurate.
In the Procurement Policy within the report, it states: ‘The grant recipient appeared to circumvent established internal controls, policies and procedures for the procurement of goods and services.’
ISBE stated that the district is required to provide a corrective action plan no later than June 30. The plan addresses each finding in the final report and they must repay the questioned costs and unallowable expenses.
WTWO will be at the next scheduled board meeting on July 10, and any called meetings in between. We will continue to keep you updated as this story progresses.
