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District reports bounced $142,000 MacBook sale payment; police report and insurance claim filed
Summary
The district reported that a buyer’s $142,000 payment for surplus MacBooks returned for insufficient funds; the district has received $50,000, filed a police report, submitted an insurance claim and will notify the state auditor, and plans policy changes on payment terms.
Director of finance Val Merdserf told the board on March 9 that after the board approved the sale of MacBook Air laptops in January, the purchaser’s check was returned for insufficient funds. The original bid totaled $142,000; Merdserf said the district has received $50,000 so far and does not expect to collect the remaining balance from that vendor.
Merdserf said the district has filed a police report, submitted an insurance claim and is consulting its attorney about next steps. She said the district will also file the required report with the state auditor. Superintendent Dr. Hellman said staff will propose a policy change to require more secure payment terms for future surplus-equipment sales, acknowledging that a net‑30 or other terms could limit bidders but would reduce risk.
Board members asked whether the case was criminal misappropriation or vendor nonpayment; Merdserf said initial legal advice indicated it could be misappropriation of public funds but that the attorney will determine the formal classification.
No disciplinary or contract action was taken at the March 9 meeting; administration said it would continue investigations and provide updates.
