Why Fox School District scholarships are being scrutinized | KMOV.com St. Louis

Why Fox School District scholarships are being scrutinized | KMOV.com St. Louis



ARNOLD, Mo. (KMOV.com) – Concerns have been growing about suspicious financial transactions in the Fox C-6 School District. Recently, scholarships have been handed out to graduating seniors based on their social connections to the school district.
The Fox School District awarded scholarships to at least seven students who were children of school district officials. John Brazeal, the new chief financial officer for the district, said paperwork surfaced for five scholarships that were approved byformer superintendent Diane Critchlow. One of the five scholarships approved was for Critchlow's son. The scholarships added up to $5,000. 
“By the time 2013 came around, you can see there were no controls … The superintendent is making decisions and the beneficiary is her son,” said Brazeal.
According to records, scholarships also went to students who were children of a school board member, assistant superintendent, and assistant principals. But scholarships were just a small part of the financial problems taking place at the Fox School District.
“We have noticed a number of improprieties in the financial records. This is one example,” said Brazeal. These findings have led the district to call for a state audit, and residents are not surprised.
“I think it’s ridiculous to enable their kids to get extra things just for all the corruption for what’s supposed to be our kids’ education. It seems kind of wrong to me,” said resident Tim Stites.
Brazeal said the state audit will start next week.

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