Audit Of Oklahoma School District Finds Missing Funds

Associated Press

POCOLA, Okla. (AP) -- An audit of the Pocola Public Schools indicates an administrator has been pocketing money paid by students for driving tests.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the audit Tuesday through the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

The audit, performed by Poteau accountant William Pickle, found that the unidentified "secondary level administrator" had been keeping the money students paid for the tests based upon "a verbal authorization from a superintendent several administrations back."

It's unclear how much money was taken.

Pocola Superintendent Ron Sherrell didn't immediately return a phone message left at his office seeking comment. School board President Mike Severe didn't return a message left on his Facebook account.

Sherrell told Fort Smith, Arkansas television station that "any discrepancies concerning the audit have already been addressed."

Pocola Public Schools is located in LeFlore County.