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A state audit found Dublin City Schools misused COVID funds to cover ongoing expenses, revealing weak spending controls and budget problems that led to major cuts.
DUBLIN, Ga. — Dublin City Schools is facing serious questions about how it has spent taxpayer money after a state audit revealed “potential waste and abuse of public funds” and major weaknesses in financial oversight.
The Georgia Department of Audit and Accounts released a special examination Tuesday that found the district used temporary COVID-19 relief funds to cover ongoing expenses like salaries and operations, masking budget problems that have now resurfaced.
The investigation, requested by House Appropriations Committee Chair Matt Hatchett, who represents Dublin, found the district lacked adequate spending controls. Purchases weren’t properly approved, budget warnings were ignored and credit card use wasn’t closely monitored, according to the report.
“I hate to say it but it was, it’s been a perfect storm, and there are, there’s fault at many levels, across state, local, different departments and it can’t happen again,” Hatchett said.
The audit also found major problems with how district leaders developed budgets. Budget projections weren’t based on solid evidence and weren’t properly checked, meaning the school board made decisions based on inaccurate financial information.
The findings come as Dublin City Schools faces a projected $13.4 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026. The district has already made significant cuts, including eliminating 46 positions and reducing the school calendar by 10 days.
Interim Superintendent Marcee Pool said in a Facebook statement that the district is “working diligently” with state officials to address every item in the report.
“Diligent doesn’t begin to describe how we are working alongside our financial advisors, the Georgia Department of Education, the DOAA, and state officials to address every item outlined in this report and to implement best practices at every level to protect the district’s financial stability and ensure its integrity moving forward,” Pool wrote.
The state is recommending Dublin City Schools overhaul its entire budget process, including better tracking of salaries and benefits, multi-year financial planning and training for school board members on budget oversight.
At least two top district leaders have stepped down since the financial problems came to light last summer. Finance Director Chad McDaniel resigned in August, followed by former Superintendent Fred Williams in September. Williams was named Georgia’s Superintendent of the Year before resigning.
The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts and the state superintendent did not immediately respond to requests for comment.