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Board debates covering PTO shortfall; superintendent to consult attorney and may use $4,000 emergency funds
Summary
Trustees discussed whether the district should cover or loan money after an alleged $22,000 shortfall at Highland and Fritz PTOs. Superintendent reported $5,215.15 in outstanding staff/vendor invoices and will consult the district attorney; she said she can use up to $4,000 under policy 3326 to reimburse immediate expenses.
Wallingford Board of Education trustees spent much of their June meeting debating whether the district should step in after an apparent shortfall in Highland and Fritz elementary PTO accounts.
The superintendent, Belizzi, told the board that about $22,000 is allegedly missing from a PTO bank account and that, separately, the district has outstanding invoices and reimbursements totaling $5,215.15 for planners, folders and staff expenses incurred for end‑of‑year events. "The $5,215 are basically outstanding invoices for folders and planners and reimbursements that have not been given back to our staff," Belizzi said.
Board members expressed competing priorities. "As Donna Regan, the Wallingford citizen, do I want to help them? Yes. As Donna Regan, the board member, I do not support us handing over that amount of money," said Regan (speaker 7), arguing that using board funds risks creating a precedent. Other trustees urged prompt payment to avoid harming students, staff and local vendors. "If we're really here for kids first, pay the darn bill that we owe," a trustee said.
Several trustees favored a loan or limited, repayable assistance rather than an outright donation. Concerns included how a loan would be enforced, whether pursuing reimbursement would cost more in legal fees than the amount involved, and whether PTO insurance would cover the missing funds. Belizzi said PTOs carry insurance but that the district did not yet have policy details: "I don't have the specifics on what their insurance is or how much it will cover."
After discussion, the trustee who moved to authorize a superintendent loan of up to $5,000 withdrew that motion and pledged a personal $250 donation. The board agreed that Belizzi should consult the district attorney, obtain the PTO insurance information and follow up with building administrators. Belizzi said she will use her authority under district policy 3326 to spend up to $4,000 immediately to reimburse staff and pay invoices that cannot be canceled, and will pursue options to recover any district outlay through insurance subrogation or other remedies.
The board emphasized that any district payment would be made directly to vendors or staff reimbursements — not routed through PTO accounts — and that formal loan terms would require legal review and agreement from the PTO. Trustees also suggested community fundraising if insurance does not cover the total.
The superintendent will report back to the board after consulting the district attorney and risk management and after contacting building administrators and vendors.
