Four top school administrators in Paso Robles are under scrutiny for allegedly spending thousands of dollars in district funds on winery visits, lunches and merchandise — just as voters rejected a bond measure to hand over $205 million to the district.
Between July 2023 and June 2026, the district-issued credit cards of the superintendent and three assistant superintendents were allegedly used to make purchases totaling a staggering $70,000, according to an investigative report by the Cal Coast News.
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Four Paso Robles school administrators used district-issued credit cars to make purchases totaling a staggering $70,000 Facebook/Paso Robles Schools
The news outlet said the four cards are only a fraction of the roughly 25 credit cards issued by the district.
The largest tab belonged to Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Erin Haley. She charged a total of $110,433 to her card, including nearly $39,600 for technology and subscriptions that district policy says should go through purchase orders, the outlet reported.
Erin Haley, assistant superintendent of educational services, paid $39,600 for technology and subscriptions through the credit car that district policy says should go through purchase orders Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
It also listed more than $10,000 in dining and catering, almost $3,000 at a local brewery and nearly $7,700 for a vendor that prints promotional T-shirts and similar items.
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Shauna Ames charged just under $37,000 on the district-issued credit card, with much of it spent on winery events, awards, entertainment and meals.
The administrators allegedly spent district funds on items including winery visits, lunches, and merchandise. buckshotcreative – stock.adobe.com
Shauna Ames, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, used her card to pay for items including winery events, awards, entertainment, and meals. LinkedIn/Shauna Ames
A San Antonio Winery event tab topped $7,700, and gifts and awards came to more than $5,100, according to the Cal Coast News.
Brad Pawlowski, the district’s Chief Business Officer and Assistant Superintendent, spent $90 at Sees Candy, along with restaurant, golf club and coffee charges locally.
He also had 23 meal and drink charges paid in Bakersfield, near the state-funded Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), where he consults on the side.
Brad Pawlowski, Assistant Superintendent Business Services at Paso Robles school district. Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
Since 2023, Pawlowski has made approximately $90,000 for consulting on multiple projects along with his annual $316,000 in salary and benefits from the Paso Robles school district, the outlet reported.
Superintendent Jennifer Loftus had only a couple thousand dollars of her $23,451 in card charges that raised questions.
Superintendent Jennifer Loftus. Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
Board President Joel Peterson has said the expenses all fell within budget.
“District expenses are subject to internal approval and documentation requirements, as well as an annual independent audit that tests spending against supporting records and state and federal requirements. In each of the years covered by the story, our independent auditors have issued their reports without findings related to these expenditures,” Peterson said in a statement on November 2.
“These expenses fell within budgets adopted by the Board and were reported to the Board in public session as part of our regular approval of District expenditures. Nothing reviewed to date indicates that funds were spent outside of those approved budgets,” he continued.
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Superintendent Jennifer Lotus also weighed in, claiming the Cal Coast News report seemed to have originated from a complaint filed by Trustee Kenney Enney. Lotus claimed Enney had not directly submitted his complaint to the district.
“I want to be clear: I welcome legitimate questions about how our district spends public funds. As superintendent, I am accountable to our Board of Trustees and to the families, employees, and taxpayers of Paso Robles. Responsible financial stewardship is not optional. It is fundamental to the public trust,” Lotus said in a statement.
“The district has now retained an independent investigator to review the allegations. I welcome that review as I believe the public deserves a careful, objective examination of the facts rather than conclusions drawn before that examination has occurred,” Lotus added.
Additionally, Lotus released another statement on November 6 further explaining the board’s position on donations and spending.
“PRJUSD is fortunate to receive generous contributions from private donors who support our educators and staff. These donations are presented publicly to the Board of Trustees for acceptance and, once approved, are deposited into designated fund balances. These contributions have supported employee recognition and appreciation activities, including celebrations honoring outstanding employees, recognizing retirees, and welcoming new staff members,” Lotus said.
“Staff may use District-issued CalCards to make purchases for these activities, with expenditures charged to the appropriate donated funds. The acceptance and administration of donated funds through District accounts is a standard practice among school districts,” Lotus continued.
Peterson also released an additional statement on November 6 in response to the Cal Coast News report.
“In each of the years covered by the story, our independent auditors issued their reports without findings related to these expenditures. These expenses fell within budgets adopted by the Board and were reported to the Board in public session as part of our regular approval of District expenditures. Every transaction reviewed so far has been routine District business,” he said.
Our annual staff celebration is made possible by a private donation and is held at a local venue that happens to be a winery. The charges identified in the complaint are the venue fees for this event, which are fully paid for by that donation. Food and beverages for this event and similar ones are donated by local businesses. Our administrators are not charging personal expenses at wineries to District credit cards.
“Many of our staff also travel for District business. When they do, lodging, mileage and meals are covered within approved per diem limits. A meal eaten while conducting District business is a legitimate business expense, not a personal one, and it is covered only up to the approved per diem amount. Travel is approved in advance, and receipts and documentation are required for every expense,” he added.
The administrators are not allowed to use public funds for gifts, flowers, gift cards and personal expenses, per the district’s policy on credit cards. Meanwhile, meals and drinks are allowed only for meetings, if attendance sheets and agendas are attached to the paperwork,” Peterson said.
On Nov. 3, early election results had Measure G-26 failing. The measure would have let the district borrow $205 million to renovate classrooms, fix aging infrastructure and build new facilities. The final result has not yet been called.
Dining and Cooking