Prosecution Sought on Jeff Davis School Board

By Associated Press

PRENTISS, Miss. – The state auditor’s office is turning its complaint against Jefferson Davis County school officials over to the attorney general’s office.

The auditor says the school system illegally took money from a 16th Section school land fund to pay for recurring expenses.

School officials say their bonding company found no law violations that would require repaying the $1.8 million demanded by the auditor.

State law requires bonds for public officials to protect local governments against theft.

An investigation by the state auditor’s office found that the county school board had twice borrowed from the district’s 16th Section principal, purportedly to remove bats and asbestos from district schools. The 16th Section fund is a land ownership program that enables districts to earn revenue through leases and interest.

The 16th Section of each 36-square-mile township belongs to the schools and must be used for the benefit of public education. Sixteenth Section land was established in the 19th century as school trust land, with rents to be paid in support of the local schools.

State officials said Jefferson Davis County schools used 16th Section funds to bolster weak revenues over several years. No criminal charges have been associated with the misspent funds.

Supt. Wayne Fortenberry and board members Jesse Holloway, Barbara Magee and Donald Milloy were each told to repay $349,335.

Members Billy Boleware and Belinda Butler owed $200,100 each.

The six officials had until Friday to repay the money.

No payments arrived, auditor’s office spokesman Ross Aldridge said.

Fortenberry said he and other board are not liable for the funds.

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