By DAVID LOPEZ
Special to the NEWS
The federal government is demanding San Benito CISD pay back $780,000 in ESSER II funds for mismanaging funds.
Contrary to media reports published last week stating the district was fined by the federal government, San Benito CISD Public Relations Director Isabel Gonzalez said in an email Tuesday that “the district was not fined” but instead that “the state is simply requiring that the District return $780,000 of unused state funds.”
During the July 18 Finance Committee Meeting, board members discussed a previous administration’s incorrect use of ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) II funds intended to compensate for losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Gonzalez, SBCISD used the funds to pay for existing Special Education expenses.
“We’re having to pay over $800,000 almost, that’s a little bit inflated, but over $700,000 because our maintenance of effort was not met,” Board President Ramiro Moreno said during the meeting.
Interim Board President Theresa Servellon explained the situation, saying the district blanket covered all special education personnel at three schools.
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