(The Center Square) – At least $13 million of federal pandemic school aid sent to Wisconsin has not been accounted for, according to the Institute for Reforming Government.
The $1.49 billion sent to Wisconsin schools in the third part of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Aid needed to be obligated by Sept. 30.
“Between the crisis in Milwaukee Public Schools and lowering test score standards for our kids, Superintendent [Jill] Underly has a lot of trust to rebuild with the people of Wisconsin,” IRG CEO CJ Szafir said in a statement. “Asking for billions from taxpayers without publicly accounting for millions in COVID aid does not rebuild that trust.”
Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction has posted plans and spending on its website, but the spending does not add up, IRG said.
Some districts overspent their allotment by a combined $300,000 while $13 million of granted funds are not accounted for.
Some of the spending also lacks detail on line items with more than 100 school districts missing data, IRG said.
The issues come as Underly is requesting $3 billion in addition funding for Wisconsin’s K-12 schools.
