School for students with autism under state scrutiny after alleged embezzlement

A private school in Brattleboro that serves children with autism is getting a closer look from the State Board of Education after a former employee’s alleged financial misconduct – including potential embezzlement – led payroll to bounce and the school to close down for several days.

The I.N.S.P.I.R.E. School’s co-founder and trustee, Craig White, came before the board last week to tell them trustees had dipped into their own pockets to make sure employees were made whole, engaged a new accountant, and put new safeguards in place.

Several State Board members said they were reassured by White’s testimony but still needed additional information. The board ultimately voted to put I.N.S.P.I.R.E. on notice the state believes the school “lacks financial capacity,” language that triggers a review process under a new state law passed in 2018 to provide additional oversight of independent schools.

“It’s clear that you have made quick work of turning around a very difficult situation,” said board member Oliver Olsen. “But that being said, these are some serious issues that need some further evaluation.”

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2019/07/24/school-for-students-with-autism-under-state-scrutiny-after-alleged-embezzlement/