In March of 2023 our Watchdog Team uncovered millions of dollars the former Youngstown City School District leader spent on an internet plan during the pandemic that turned out to be an expensive bust.

During the pandemic the Youngstown City School District received 77 Million dollars in ESSER funds, a federal pool of money to help schools navigate unprecedented terrain.

In October 2021, then-CEO Justin Jennings who was appointed when the state of Ohio took over the district, decided to purchase over $5 million worth of internet infrastructure that was never used and still sits in a bus garage.

21 News Watchdog reports in March of 2023 that laid out those expenses, as well as a payroll system that was paid for before learning it wasn't compatible, meaning it was wasted. 

Our investigation also uncovered millions spent on COVID tests even though the tests were available from the state for free. Youngstown paid for them instead of requesting more.

The only indication in the months following OUR investigation that any authorities MAY be looking into the district's activities came in the form of FBI raids at district buildings, as well as QuickMed locations. QuickMed is the company that provided the COVID tests, but no official has ever publicly said what sparked those raids and the matter remains open.

But in December of 2023, the division of the state's Department of Education that reviews federal funds did look into more than a million of the ESSER dollars paid to a company called Insight, which provided the internet equipment to the district.

In December of 2023, the division of the state's Department of Education that reviews federal funds did look into more than $1 million of the ESSER dollars paid to a company called Insight, which provided the internet equipment to the district.

Paperwork obtained by 21 News shows that the investigation was into "misspent or misapplied funds."

 

 Youngstown City School District Treasurer Bryan Schiraldi issued 21 News this statement:

"DEW performed a monitoring review on FY23 ESSER. They flagged a purchase of about $1.01million as a potential issue in which we appealed. We ultimately came to an agreement prior to any appeal hearing in which the result is that the matter has been resolved and the review is closed. At this point, the district does not owe back any funds. "