Clarke County Grand Jury Finds Problems in School District's Money Handling

t is facing a $9 million shortfall in state and local funding for its many schools and programs. The school board has voted to eliminate parapros from first grade classrooms for the coming school year and has jettisoned other classroom positions, trying to stretch a shrinking budget.

In the wake of financial woes, the Clarke County Grand Jury has said it has concerns about the finances of the school district, according to a story in the Athens Banner Herald.

Problems cited in the grand jury report included a variance of more than $184,000; a variance of $600,000 in a school nutrition account dating to 2008; and a construction project that was understated by close to $900,000.

School officials said in the story the grand jury's findings were a positive this year.