Authorities Investigate Cherokee County School District

Saturday, August 26th 2006, 4:10 pm

By: News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) _ A state investigation into the finances of a Cherokee County school district is being put on hold while federal investigators look into some irregularities.

An agent with the Inspector General's Office of the US Department of Education recently contacted District Attorney Richard Gray with questions about the Lost City school district.

Gray's office was in the midst of tackling a 400-page Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation report on Lost City's financial dealings, employee pay and other allegations.

Gray says the state problem likely is on hold until federal investigators decide what to do.

A state audit last year showed Superintendent Annette Millard received thousands of dollars in pay increases and inaccurately gained years of service on her employment record because of altered documents.