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Amery district reports $2 million shortfall, board says alleged charges referred to law enforcement
Summary
District officials told the board they found that 2024–25 expenditures exceeded revenues by about $2 million, outlined roughly $5 million in short-term borrowing and said about 25 alleged improper charges (roughly $25,000) tied to the former finance director have been referred to law enforcement; the board said it will consider a forensic audit if advised by investigators.
District officials told the Amery School Board on Tuesday that a recent reconciliation of its accounts showed district expenditures exceeded revenues by approximately $2,000,000 in the 2024–25 school year, a shortfall that exhausted the district’s fund balance and led to sizable short-term borrowing.
In a prepared statement read to the board, the district administrator said, “The review determined that district expenditures exceeded revenues by approximately $2,000,000 during the 2425 school year.” The statement described steps taken to reconcile the books, adjust the 2026–27 budget and secure an operational loan to roll short-term notes into a more manageable structure.
Why it matters: the district said timing of state aid and local tax receipts, together with prior short-term notes, left it relying on borrowing and on one-time adjustments to stabilize cash flow. The administrator said the district has repaid $3,500,000 in short-term borrowings and plans to repay the remaining $1,500,000 before their maturity in October.
The district also reported an internal review identified approximately 25 alleged charges totaling roughly $25,000 that appear to have been personal expenses charged to district accounts while the former director of finance was in the role. “That information has been provided to law enforcement,” the administrator said. The district said it will consider a forensic audit if recommended or directed by the prosecuting agency.
Board members and staff linked the findings to new oversight measures. The board has established a financial oversight committee to strengthen review procedures, improve reporting and increase accountability, and administration said it has reduced the 2026–27 budget by about $2,500,000 as part of repair and recovery efforts.
Public reaction: during the community-comment period a resident urged the board to pursue a forensic audit. The commenter said the apparent pattern of charges was “very alarming” and called for transparency and accountability. “I think that the fact that there’s 25 fraudulent charges that we know of is very alarming,” the resident told the board.
State Representative Tim Tucker, who identified himself during public comment, also addressed the meeting and encouraged local advocacy with legislators on school funding and noted a petition of roughly 1,100 signatures related to the district’s short-term borrowing consolidation.
What’s next: district staff said it will present a preliminary budget in July, begin the annual audit for fiscal year 2026 in July and August, and expect the board to approve a final 2026–27 budget in September. The board said it will follow law enforcement guidance on whether to commission a forensic audit.
The statement emphasized operations continued without interruption during the reconciliation. “All payroll obligations had been met, and now all district bills are being paid on time,” the district administrator said.
