In the letter, State Superintendent Title Programs Director Margo DeLaune states that positions that are eligible to be funded with Title I monies are only allowed to pay for 25% of their salaries from it, but in the case of multiple positions the DCSS instead used the funds for 75% of those positions' salaries.
/ File
ALBANY, GA --
On Wednesday, the Georgia Department of Education issued a letter to Dougherty County School System Interim Superintendent Dr. David C. Mosely stating the department found some incorrectly used Title I funds.
In the letter, State Superintendent Title Programs Director Margo DeLaune states that positions that are eligible to be funded with Title I monies are only allowed to pay for 25% of their salaries from it, but in the case of multiple positions the DCSS instead used the funds for 75% of those positions' salaries.
Dr. Mosely says the 75-25 ratio is backwards in the case of DCSS, and he intends to address how to fix it.
Also in the GDOE findings were three technology positions that were being 100% funded with Title I money that were not eligible to be under the state's guidelines.
In the letter, the school system is given the follow options: reclassify the 75% of salaries to an appropriate fund source and pay back the $52,958.82 from the technology positions, change the technology positions to be eligible for the funds and pay 25% of the salaries with Title I money, or pay back both the money for the technology positions and the $354,755.15 earned from the improper salary ratio from July 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013.
Dr. Mosely says the school system has already decided to pay back the money for the improper technology positions and the board plans to review their options on the other finding.
If the board decides to pay back the $354,755.15, Dr. Mosely says it will be taken from general funds, which is taxpayer money and will greatly affect everyone.
However, Dr. Mosely says there is more than enough money in the general fund to pay the state and not have to raise taxes to make up the difference.
Dr. Mosely says he hopes once this is resolved, the board can continue to work towards making things right and focus on the education of their students.
Stay connected to MySouthWestGA.com as stories develop and the FOX 31 Newscast at 10 PM. Visit us on Facebook and Twitter to join in on the conversation and connect with FOX 31!
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWFXL