Texas Superintendent misspent $139,000 at School of Excellence
From Sunshine Review
August 1, 2009 Texas superintendent Ricky Hooker was forced from his position after it was discovered that he allowed the School of Excellence to spend $139,000 on a band trip to China.[1]
[edit] Taxpayer-funded trip
A local news company, News 4 WOAI, followed an investigation trail leading to the discovery that the $139,000 of taxpayer money went to a trip to China for the School of Excellence in Education's school band.
The Texas Education Agency found these numbers after an audit revealing the trip that the board never approved. The T.E.A. says the school should be reimbursed.
[edit] More wasteful spending
The audit also shows that the former superintendent Hooker used the school's credit card to purchase personal items and for a relative's travel expenses and used the district-issued cell phone for personal business. Hooker has since paid back some of those charges following News 4 WOAI's discovery.
Hooker had denied the allegations last year.
"What I do know is this: There was never any intent to defraud anyone. I am trying to run a school, do I know everything about finance on the other side? No, I do not," said Hooker, who was eventually fired.
The T.E.A. expects the school to make policy changes as a result of the audit.
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