State police are investigating the finances of a Hempfield Area School District parent-teacher organization, Trooper Steve Limani said Monday.
Rumors about Fort Allen Elementary School’s parent-teacher organization circulated on social media late last week, alleging the group’s bank account balance is lower than expected. Attempts to contact the organization’s board members were unsuccessful.
Superintendent Mark Holtzman said Hempfield Area does not oversee the organization’s finances, as the group is not directly affiliated with the district.
Parent-teacher organizations are independent, volunteer-run groups that facilitate fundraising and events for a school’s educators and students.
Holtzman could not confirm the financial status of the organization.
“If there is something the district has to do to support students from a financial standpoint,” he said, “we will work it out.”
Fort Allen Principal David Vezendy, who gives reports on school happenings at the organization’s quarterly meetings, declined to comment.
“There’s nothing that’s been confirmed here, so it’s premature to comment on anything at this point,” he said.
Limani said the state police investigation was prompted by a call from school officials to the Greensburg barracks.
“I’m sure it will be a while before we know if a crime happened and, if so, who committed it,” he said.