‘Mistakes’ only: Bartlett on 2 state Comptroller FHS ‘investigations’
Tennessee Comptroller’s Office released two “investigative reports” related to Farragut High School — a TCO press release that was e-mailed to farragutpress Friday afternoon, Sept. 13, stated — concerning what FHS principal Dr. Jon Bartlett said were “mistakes” concerning the handling of funds and spending by two extracurricular school entities.
“Both investigations began after (Knox County)School System officials reported questionable transactions to the Comptroller’s Office,” the release further stated.
Details of infractions, resulting in an “investigation,” targets the FHS Dugout Club, which is a school support organization for the Farragut baseball program, while the “second investigation” involves the FHS Marching Admirals band.
“There were mistakes made. They were fixable. But nobody was corrupt or stealing money,” Bartlett said. “We were not misspending money in any way, shape or form.
“... And the other thing is, when those mistakes were made, we fixed those mistakes,” he added.
The following are TCO investigation details:
FHS Dugout Club
“Investigators determined club officers paid salary supplements to FHS baseball coaches totaling $3,350. These ‘thank you’ gifts were not approved by the school system, as required.
“Furthermore, since four of the coaches who received payments are KCS employees, the club should have provided the money to the Board of Education for payment to the coaches. This ensures tax withholdings and other deductions are done properly.
“The Farragut Dugout Club also used club funds to buy questionable gifts for coaches and themselves totaling at least $463.63.
“The Dugout Club also charged $600 ‘operational’ fees to players in 2022 and 2023. School support organizations may not charge students to participate in school-sponsored activities. Fees must be accounted for by the school and deposited in the school bank account.”
With the baseball Booster Club, “It’s 100 percent honest mistakes,” Bartlett said. “You have these volunteers that are working as hard as they can work to raise money for the school and the Booster Club to support the program.
“They did not realize that they were doing anything that was against any procedures,” he added.
Report on Marching Ads
“Investigators determined that FHS made payments totaling $43,936.90 to a vendor that employed the band director (Kenneth Carrico), resulting in a potential conflict of interest.
“These payments included purchases of band equipment and contracted audio engineering and choreography services. Investigators could not determine if the band director personally benefitted from the FHS purchases while working in both positions.
“FHS should have also obtained written quotes, as required when disbursements for purchases or services exceed $25,000 in one school year.
“Investigators also found the FHS band director and assistant band director used a school credit card to pay $1,500 for a questionable meal at a restaurant in Nashville in April 2024. Eleven band students, three FHS employees, one FHS student teacher and two individuals unaffiliated with FHS attended the meal.
“Funds collected from student fees and fundraisers should only be used for the benefit of the entire band and not selected students, faculty or other individuals.”
“It was an honest mistake. It was the band director trying to treat the kids that put so much time and effort into the band and into their musical performances,” Bartlett said. “So it was misguided, but we’ve corrected it. ... That’s been already handled with the appropriate measures in-house.”
“The results of both investigations have been communicated with the Office of the District Attorney General of the 6th Judicial District,” the TCO release stated.
“School support organizations in Tennessee must establish strong internal controls to ensure money and assets are safeguarded,” Comptroller of the Treasury Jason Mumpower stated.
“I encourage Knox County Schools to address any existing issues within its school booster clubs that could lead to improper activity.”
