Union’s use of funds in question

Colorado Springs School District 11 is investigating the president of the teacher’s union and other teachers for allegedly misusing public funds.

D-11 Chief Financial Officer Glenn Gustafson said the investigation involves the possible improper reimbursement of $1,000 from a district fund for teacher training.

The $42,000 fund provided by the district is managed by teachers.

The money was paid back to the district, Gustafson said, but a handful of people are being investigated over whether the disbursement was proper. He declined to elaborate because the investigation is ongoing.

Irma Valerio, president of the Colorado Springs Education Association, confirmed she is a subject of the investigation for an expense she turned in for a teachers union presidents conference last June.

“I am not concerned about it at all,” Valerio said about the investigation.

Gustafson said it is unlikely criminal charges will be filed since the money was returned to the district.

Details of the investigation could come later this week.

Valerio declined to discuss how the CSEA is handling the situation, noting it is a private organization and the board of directors is “dealing with it.”

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