MCPHERSON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas school district the state’s new education commissioner left earlier this month is facing questions over the timing of revelations that an administrator was suspected of misusing district funds.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports McPherson School District officials knew in mid-June that associate superintendent Chris Ruder was suspected of charging personal expenses on a district card, but he wasn’t suspended until June 23.
That was the final day of a mail-in election that started June 2 asking voters to increase the local option budget that helps fund the school district.
Randy Watson was the district’s superintendent until July 1, when he became Kansas education commissioner. He says he had asked for an audit of district finances after an unusual purchase was brought to his attention.