Parents at Ben Franklin Elementary School expressed shock Friday after learning that $15,707.06 in Parent-Teacher Organization funds were allegedly misused.

Franklin

Parents at Ben Franklin Elementary in Franklin, Wisconsin, were informed that nearly $16,000 in Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) funds had been misused. The principal confirmed that the funds were recovered following an investigation, and emphasized that current PTO members are not involved in the case.

The Franklin Police Department began investigating the matter after being alerted in mid-2024, with search warrants revealing the funds were allegedly used for personal expenses, including concert tickets and a party deposit. The investigation remains open, and the school district is cooperating with authorities. No charges have been filed, and the identity of the person involved has not been disclosed.

Ben Franklin Elementary PTO funds allegedly misused

Concerned parents reached out to us after the PTO meeting on October 8th. According to the meeting notes, the principal, Jordan Hine, informed parents that nearly $16,000 in restitution was paid to the PTO. He says the funds were recovered after an investigation revealed that the funds were misused, and he confirms that the current members are not involved in the investigation. I'm shocked. I'm shocked, curious as a normal human would be to know who this is. This news is unsettling for Melissa Santos, who's a mom of two at the school. With everything going on in this world today, I'm not trusting whatsoever fully. We are not naming the person accused because they have not been charged. However, I dug into when this all started. According to these search warrants I obtained, the school was made aware of the situation in the summer of 2024. The Franklin Police Department started filing search warrants by November of 2024. The search warrants reveal that the person allegedly used PTO money to buy $592 worth of Morgan Wallen tickets and paid for a birthday party deposit. Multiple Zelle transactions to and from the person were made as well. Money raised by the PTO is supposed to supplement school budgets and make school a little more enjoyable for staff, students, and teachers here at Ben Franklin. We raised the money for the school. Half of them will go to the classrooms where they can benefit the kids and the teacher doesn't have to buy from their own money, you know, if they need more supplies. Parents like Mara and Melissa think this unfortunate situation could get more parents involved. I would 100% love to be more involved than I already am. The police department tells me this is still an open investigation and that the school district is still working through this with them. In Franklin, Megan Lee, TMJ4 News.

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