Philly Schools Use Funds for Beer Mugs, Glassware

An audit found that fundraising monies have been widely misused inside Philly's public high schools.

In a report released Monday, City controller Alan Butkovitz found that $1.5 million in funds from the Student Activity Fund were unaccounted for.

The problems ranged from a $47,000 certificate of deposit that could not be located at one high school, to student funds diverted toward staff meals and salaries at another school.

Perhaps the most amusing and odd of the spending was $5,799 for 600 pilsner glasses and champagne flutes. Officials did not say where the glassware went.

Butkovitz said there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, just poor management on the part of school administrators. None seemed to have followed a manual provided to them on how to document the purchases.

The student funds are raised through class dues, bake sales and other fundraising activities.

Of the 15 high schools audited, all failed. The controller hopes the audit will force school district officials to reform spending practices.