Police investigating Scott High School missing booster funds

[theguru]

TAYLOR MILL, Ky. (Joe Webb) -- If people buy a soda, hot dog or nachos at a Scott High School football game, the profit goes to support the Eagle Club. At least it's supposed to.

 

But earlier in the summer 2015, some club members suspected that not all the money was accounted for and contacted local police. They launched an investigation. The eagle club generates tens of thousands of dollars each year to buy uniforms, equipment, furniture and whatever the school needs. It saves taxpayers money. But apparently, not all of it was accounted for.

 

People close to the investigation think more than $10,000 of Eagle Club money disappeared. The concession stands at Scott High School sporting events pay for scholarships, awards and half the cost of new uniforms. The Scott High School Eagle Club spends about $20,000 every year on those things.

 

But this year, the funds were noticeably short.

 

"We were requested about six weeks ago to do an investigation into some missing funds. It's a slow process waiting on financial records of the Eagle Club themselves," said Lt. Ron Wilson of the Taylor Mill police.

 

Taylor Mill police have contacted the prosecutor's office. The school district has called for an independent audit and is cooperating with police.

 

"First of all, that is an independent booster group that's not anything that is in the Kenton County school district of Scott High School. It is completely independent," said Jess Dykes of Kenton County Schools.

 

Despite the fact it is on the school's website, is named for the school and its mascot and generates money through school events. The current Eagle Club board president said she was working with police to wrap up the investigation by the start of school.

 

Police are making progress, “We have one person of interest right now. We don't want to release their name, just a person of interest at this moment. And there possible could be more."

 

The question is how much, if any, walked away? And what can be done to prevent it from happening again? By all accounts, the Eagle Club does a lot of great things for Scott High School. If there is a problem, it is apparently limited to a small group of people or one person.

 

If it has gone on for two or three years as police suspect, the amount of money could be substantial. If it's more than $1,000 it's a felony.

 

The current Eagle Club board president, Chastity Boyd, said they were aware of the situation and working closely with police. She said it was a shame the missing money overshadows all the positive things the club does for students every year.

 

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Police investigating Scott High School missing booster funds - Top Stories - wkrc

[theguru]

I hope the Police and Boosters get to the bottom of this and charge someone.

 

Everyone involved in Booster Organizations needs to know that if they steal money they will be caught and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

[75center]

Really unfortunate when people give in to temptation and steal from these booster groups. Hopefully people don't paint with a broad brush as these groups do a world of good for the organizations they support.

[sportsfan41]

I hope the Police and Boosters get to the bottom of this and charge someone.

 

Everyone involved in Booster Organizations needs to know that if they steal money they will be caught and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

 

I just don't understand people sometimes. I mean stealing from a schools booster fund. Might as well be taking money from the offering plate at church.

[Hatz]

I just don't understand people sometimes. I mean stealing from a schools booster fund. Might as well be taking money from the offering plate at church.

 

Unfortunately I've experienced both. :meh:

[sweet16]

I hope the Police and Boosters get to the bottom of this and charge someone.

 

Everyone involved in Booster Organizations needs to know that if they steal money they will be caught and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

 

Completely agree. We had a parent steal money from the concession stand one time while they were working. We handed over to the law.

[theguru]

I remember working the gate once for the Spartans and there was a good amount of cash involved. I told one of the nice ladies that ran things you ain't going anywhere and we are walking together with this cash after we each count it and individually verify and agree how much cash is here.

 

Be smart people. Count it, document it, have an independent witness.

[Clyde]

You would think after another local school had an issue a few years ago that every booster organization would put methods in place to help minimize the risk. You can't have one person have sole responsibility with no checks and balances.

[theguru]

I agree Clyde, there always has to be at least two parties that are not friends/buddies that have access to all the accounting records all the time.

 

And frankly some organizations raise so much money I think they should consider hiring a professional (like an accountant/financial planner/attorney possibly with ties to the school that will oversee everything) that can't run the risk of even being accused of any type of fraud.

[plantmanky]

My understanding is that the issue was funds from the night of concessions disappearing before they were recorded. Most school type concessions stands dont use any type of POS system that tracks transactions and inventory, they just total up the cash in the drawer/box every night and record it.

[Jack of all Trades]

So do the Redbook rules instituted a few years ago not cover these Booster clubs?

[TAC]

Did they not supply a financial spread sheet at each meeting? A side by side is always a great idea as well.

Just puts more pressure on the volunteers, but I know when I'm involved in someone else's money I have full disclosure. I ran a golf outing one time that was not a fundraiser and every penny was accounted for.

[Clyde]

My understanding is that the issue was funds from the night of concessions disappearing before they were recorded. Most school type concessions stands dont use any type of POS system that tracks transactions and inventory, they just total up the cash in the drawer/box every night and record it.

 

My guess is that's a problem at a lot of places. Some of these concession stands have so many people working that it seems like chaos back there.

[hoops5]

Scott hosts all those day long swim meets with so many swimmers and spectators in attendance. I bet those concessions bring in quite a bit, as they should, when you consider costs involved with pool upkeep.

[hoops_fan]

A shame all around. The president, Ms Boyd, herself I know gives countless time and her own personal resources giving to youth. So many people give their time to make programs successful and only takes one person to ruin a good thing.

 

I agree with Clyde and The Guru too that organizations have to put ways in to protect themselves. The events are very chaotic but for this to potentially have gone on for years and that amount of money it isn't just a random volunteering parent pocketing some cash randomly.