Questions Arise After Administrators Of Struggling School Use Funds For Dinner, Go-Karting

WEST COVINA (CBSLA.com) — Questions arose Monday as to whether teachers and administrators from South Hills High School may have used student money to fund a lavish beach retreat.

The money was thought to have come from a student account, but the district claimed Monday that this allegation was the result of a misunderstanding.

A group of teachers and administrators from the school went to a waterfront hotel in Laguna Beach for a leadership retreat over the summer. The retreat included a $360 dinner and over $800 worth of go-karting.

The school was accused of using student funds to pay for the trip, which totaled over $4,000.

Meanwhile, students say they've been told the school lacks the funds for proper learning tools.

"I just think that if they say that we can't afford enough books and supplies for school, why would they go on a retreat?" student Jenica Aiono asked.

The reimbursement for the retreat came out of the Associated Student Body account, according to the district. That account, however, is only to be used by students.

Parents said Monday that they do not feel the retreat was appropriate, stating that they frequently have to spend extra to help get their children the means to study efficiently.

A spokesperson for the district says that the retreat was paid for through donations to the school and that the $4,000 was only added to the ASB account temporarily for tracking purposes.

This is not the first touch of controversy associated with the school this year. In January, two teachers were arrested and charged with having sex with students during a beach camping trip.

One of those teachers attended the leadership retreat now in question.