In April, an East High senior reached out to 21 News asking for help, saying the 2023 senior class trip to Florida was canceled after Youngstown students were told that there weren’t enough funds in the class funds to cover the cost of the trip.

At the time, 21 News was told in a written response by Youngstown City Schools Communication Director Stacy Quinones, “The senior trip was initially canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. However, it is now rescheduled. Our seniors are going on their class trip to enjoy their last months of high school.”

When asked what the unforeseen circumstances were, Quinones responded, "We do not have additional information. Thank you."

However, now the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is looking into the matter after the Youngstown Police Department asked for BCI’s help in investigating the alleged missing senior class funds.

A Youngstown police report was filed on May 17, based on a concern from East High School Principal Debra Campbell.

According to the police report, a senior advisor/teacher asked the principal about the progress of a requestion in the amount of $19,244 from the Rayen Foundation. However, the account for the seniors showed no donation or funds added to the account from that foundation. Instead, the records did show that on March 9, 2020, the Youngstown Foundation donated $11,000 to the class.

Campbell told police the $19,244 requisition had her official stamp, but no actual signature, stating that she was not in the building at the time that the signature stamp was generated.

On March 31, Campbell, along with assistant principals from East met with Youngstown City Schools Treasurer Bryan Schiraldi and Assistant Treasurer Sandy Huddleston and were informed that there was no account dedicated to the senior class, but a general student activities account only. The accountants then told the East administrators that the Youngstown Foundation's $11,000 funds had been absorbed into the general student activities account.

On April 5, the report states that Campbell met with the 2023 Senior advisors and discussed the senior trip funds. Records showed that on May 5, $8,865 was refunded to 28 students in varying amounts, however, records allegedly showed no input for the money refunded.

According to the police report, when Campbell questioned the senior advisor about where the $8,865 funds came from and the requisition for $19,244 from the Rayen Foundation, the advisor stated that an administrative assistant may have put the wrong information in for the funds.

The advisor also said that they may have given the funds to then-East principal Jeremy Batchelor, and it funds could be in the school safe. The safe was opened and found to have $1,248.40 but not from deposits for the senior trip.

The advisors were informed there was not enough money to cover the trip, and the students were informed of the cancellation. However, within hours, the trip was back on, and seniors did go on their trip. However, it is unclear where the funds to cover the cost of the trip came from, and no additional information was provided from the district.

A check for $4,775 from the district was paid to Memorable Tours, LLC of Kissimmee, Florida, a company that offers Seniors Trips, on March 14.

The Youngstown Police Department asked BCI on June 8 to take over the investigation into the alleged missing funds.

21 News has obtained school documents showing that a Youngstown City School District teacher and senior advisor was placed on administrative leave on May 25, and stated the employee was no longer allowed on school property or at school functions, pending the outcome of a school district investigation over accusations involving the teacher collecting of funds for the 2023 senior class.

Letters obtained by 21 News from the school district show that the teacher was informed in April that "all records and funds that are outstanding should be submitted immediately to the principal."

The letter states the district is investigating matters relating to "the accounting and expenditures of the senior class funds at East High School."

The teacher was ordered by YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor to attend a fact-finding conference on April 27 to "discuss your conduct as it relates to the handling of senior activities and senior advisor monetary collection, fiscal procedures, and receipts.

The teacher was also ordered to have no contact with any district students or employees, except for then-interim superintendent Jeremy Batchelor or their union representative.

The letter stated that failure to abide by these directives could result in additional discipline.

After the school district completed its investigation in July, the teacher was allowed to return to their position but was no longer allowed to handle students’ funds.

Ohio BCI press secretary Steve Irwin did confirm that this was an open investigation.