Where did the COVID funds go?

 

Why would cuts in "Covid" funding put our county into so sharp a reduction in funding?

UPDATE: We have extensively looked at the budget, and the only cuts we can find from the state for Pocahontas County is the end of the COVID relief funds. The loss of these funds has been known for a long time, so why the sudden need to let staff go without any public notice or discussion?--Posting from Pocahontas Buzz

• Improper Purchasing Procedures:

• This includes not following proper bidding processes or buying from unregistered vendors. For instance, a recent audit in West Virginia found schools using out-of-state, unregistered vendors for millions of dollars in purchases [WV Audit Misspent Funds]. This lack of oversight raises concerns about inflated prices or even fraudulent activity.

• Unallowable Activities: Schools are supposed to use the funds for specific purposes outlined by the federal government. Spending on programs or items outside those guidelines is considered misappropriation. There have been criticisms, though not widespread confirmed cases, of schools using funds for programs some consider unrelated to pandemic recovery, like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives [Schools and COVID Relief Funds].

Here's some additional information to consider:

• Limited Scope of Confirmed Misspending: While some cases of improper spending have been identified through audits, it's important to note these are often isolated incidents. The vast majority of schools likely used the funds appropriately.

• Challenges During Pandemic: School administrators faced a rapidly evolving situation during the height of the pandemic. Some argue that a focus on expediency in acquiring resources, like PPE or technology, might have led to bypassing some bureaucratic procedures [Schools and Relief Funds].

It's important to consult a variety of sources to get a balanced perspective on this issue.