IR schools ask Indian River Fire Company for money back
The Indian River School District has started to reach out to entities they believe may have benefited from financial irregularities found in an audit involving former chief financial officer Patrick Miller.
The district's board of education sent a letter to the Indian River Fire Company on Jan. 18, asking to be reimbursed $4,904.98 for an all-terrain vehicle purchased by the fire company and sold back to the school district, and a projector bought by the district that is being used at the fire company.
The board first thanked the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company for its efforts to protect the community, and then outlined their reasons for asking for the money back.
According to the audit, the all-terrain vehicle was purchased in June 2015 for $14,500, and the fire company paid $435 to a company to customize the vehicle with Sussex Central High School colors and logos.
Indian River School District then purchased the vehicle from the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company for $19,500, netting a profit of $4,565 for the fire company.
"Given the readily apparent conflicts of interest between a decision-maker involved in the transaction at IRVFC and the District, it is clear IRVFC unfairly profited from this transaction," the letter said.
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The audit found Miller was the one who bought the vehicle on behalf of the Indian River Fire Company and then sold it to the Indian River School District for a markup of 31 percent.
Miller had previously served as the president of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.
The audit found on the vehicle manufacturer's website that a new all-terrain vehicle could have been purchased for $13,999.
The district is also seeking $339.98 back from the fire company for a projector purchased by the district which is now being used at the fire company.
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In the letter, the district asked for a response by Tuesday, Jan. 31, and at that time the matter will be turned over to the district's attorneys.
The vote to send the letter passed the board by a count of 9-0-1. Leogla Wright was the lone abstention because she is a member of both the Indian River School District and the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.
Miller was first placed on administrative leave on April 24 because of issues with district finances. An audit into the district's finances began May 23 and Miller resigned May 27.
The results of the audit were released Nov. 17, detailing how the district lacked formal policies and procedures for any of its financial processes from 2011 to 2016.
According to the Delaware Attorney General's office, the investigation into Miller is ongoing.
The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company did not immediately respond to calls for comment.
rghughes@dmg.gannett.com
On Twitter @hughesg19