Bogus Boosters

Recently it was discovered that a parent booster club at a large charter school has been...well...a little less than honest with their finances.

This booster organization was developed decades ago, and has gained influence and power over the program they supported by providing and controlling much-needed services and financial aid to that program they serve. If you have ever had any experience with a booster organization, you know that they exist to aid their program, and do not seek to influence or control it. Well this is exactly what has happened. After years of suspicion, but lacking any proof, a strongly suggested that the school administration require this booster organization to complete an independent audit.

After a year of delays, the booster organization turned in an incomplete, but very troubling audit. To summarize, in the last year, the booster had raised around $150k in funds. According to the school, only $20k of that was spent on the students. Also, the booster program spent $30k on "managerial fees". Take from that what you will.

The bottom line is that the school discovered tens of thousands of dollars missing (this was from one year, so who knows how much money went "missing" over the years), and decided immediately to break all ties with this booster organization. The school asked the booster organization to turn over all assets and funds. There has been little to no progress on this. It is my opinion that several members of that booster program board should be facing charges of embezzlement and tax fraud.

Regardless of the evidence in front of them, I doubt the school administration will seek any legal reparations, since their reputation as a well-run and financially prosperous school would be tarnished by having let this go on for so long and ignoring the pleas for help by the teacher blowing the whistle.