Audit of Lost City Public School district prompts probe

Friday, October 7th 2005, 10:51 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state audit released Friday pointed to alleged irregularities at the tiny Lost City Public School District in northeastern Oklahoma, including one allegation the school billed both the state and the Cherokee Nation for free meals for students of low-income families.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the case.

Johnny Hobbs, treasurer for the school district, said he had not reviewed the audit and had no comment about paying for the school's nutrition programs. She said the tribe also was apparently billed and paid for the same students.

The school has only 55 students, ranging from pre-kindergarten to the eighth grade. A majority of students are Indian.

The audit found the school failed to report nearly $3,000 in child nutrition revenue to the state Department of Education.

It also found the superintendent received payments not included in her employment contract and a teacher's years of experience were altered, resulting in a $4,000 pay raise and overpayment by the state.