SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – The annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the 2023 school year has been released.
Internal audits revealed several occurrences of misappropriated funds and theft for multiple Caddo schools and one Bossier Parish school. Now, money is being recouped and one former employee is under investigation.
At Queensboro Leadership in Caddo Parish, money from the activity fund, Title 1 and general funds were paid to the principal and paraprofessional for services that were not conducted. The principal is accused of falsifying information to be paid for these services. A bookkeeper is also accused of voiding receipts and transferring money to a dormant account. The total amount of the misappropriated funds was more than $4,300. As of December 2023, all employees from the school were still employed except the bookkeeper. The misused funds have been recovered.
A principal in Caddo at Werner Park Elementary is also under fire. Checks were written for merchandise and gift cards that were not accounted for, which totaled nearly $4,000. According to the report, that money has also been recovered. And as of December 2023, the principal was still employed with the parish.
At North Highlands Elementary, it is alleged that payments from the elementary and secondary school relief funds were made to the principal for services that were not conducted. The findings revealed that the employee was not present for the hours they claimed on their time sheet, totaling nearly $1,700 dollars. That principal repaid the funds and has since resigned from Caddo Parish School Board. The case is now closed.
KSLA News 12 reached out to the school board in regard to these findings.
“The findings of the annual audit have been thoroughly investigated and appropriate action has been taken,” they stated.
In Bossier Parish, a bookkeeper from Plantation Park Elementary was terminated and is currently under investigation. The bookkeeper is accused of using school deposits and credit cards for personal use exceeding $19,000.
“The bookkeeper in question is no longer employed by Bossier Schools. This is an ongoing investigation that is now in the hands of the Bossier Parish District Attorney,” Bossier Parish School Board stated.
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