Brownsville parents seek answers about alleged misuse of funds by former school board member

FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — Dozens of parents and community members sat in on Thursday’s Brownsville School Board meeting. Many of them sought answers about the alleged misuse of funds involving a former school board member and booster clubs in the district.

The resignation of the board member in question was accepted at Thursday’s meeting, but they previously served as the board’s head of finance.

Board members say the former member acted without consent from the board and should not have had any official dealings with the booster clubs.

Matt Morgan is president of Brownsville Midget Football. He said the member approached his organization, but they only shared basic information.

“[The member] tried to get involved with us, and we did not allow it. But they did use their position on the board to try and come in,” he said.

It’s unclear how much money was taken or how many clubs were affected.

“The only way to get anything done is if there is an audit done, which the school said they would do, but several booster parents in charge of these groups voted no,” Tabitha Silbaugh said. She is the treasurer for the girls’ high school basketball team.

Board members say they cannot force booster clubs to open their books, but they can assist.

“I would be urging my president, vice president or whatever of that booster club to open the books,” board member Andy Dorsey said.

“If it’s $50 or $5,000, it needs to be accounted for,” Silbaugh said.

The board did pass two motions Thursday. One establishes a committee of booster club officials to talk about this issue. The other starts the ball rolling on a potential district-wide audit covering the last five years.

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