By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
May 20, 2011

Although Don Bosco Charter High School is closing for good after graduation next week, the school can’t close its pocketbooks yet.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) notified the school Tuesday, May 17, that more than $256,000 in federal funds are in question and must be returned to DESE.

DESE conducted the federal financial monitoring review May 10, a month after the school announced it would close its doors permanently due to a lack of funding.

In their audit, DESE staff stated that Don Bosco Charter High School misallocated Title I federal monies to pay for portions of staff salaries, benefits and materials for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years.

Title I, a program under No Child Left Behind, provides federal funds to schools that have high numbers or high percentages of poor children.

Don Bosco Charter High School must submit any data corrections for the financial expenditure reports by May 27. Nick Scielzo, president of Don Bosco Centers, said the Don Bosco Board will provide a response within DESE’s specified timeframe.

“After our 11 years of working positively with DESE, we are confident we can resolve this matter appropriately,” Scielzo said.

Until the issue is resolved, remaining state aid payments and sponsor stipend funds will be withheld.