ISBE questions Paris School District over grant spending [Video]

PARIS, Ill. (WCIA) — An Edgar County school district previously in hot water for misusing grant money has received more questions from the Illinois State Board of Education.

Paris School District 95 Superintendent Lorraine Bailey confirmed in an email to WCIA that ISBE has asked the district for more documentation on their spending of ESSER grants for Fiscal Year 2023. The spending ISBE is questioning amounts to $726,653.00.

ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) grants are in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to “enable schools to operate safely during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and support social-emotional and academic recovery,” according to ISBE’s website. Bailey said the funds from ESSER could be used for a variety of expenditures, from Chromebooks and reading materials to professional development for faculty and playground equipment.

Paris-Union 95 hires new superintendent

Some violations ISBE’s auditing teams are alleging include capital purchases made without approval, expenditure reports using budgeted amounts versus actual costs, …