State orders release of school funds

    Chase County Treasurer Cindy Schoenberger has released the funds to Chase County Schools held back last month as directed by the Nebraska Department of Education.
    Schoenberger said she received a letter from Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt on Monday that all school money was to be released to CCS. The Dundy County Treasurer also received the same letter, and was sending their check this week, as well.
    Last month, Schoenberger was notified to withhold the scheduled funds of $68,030.89 for November because the 2018-19 annual financial report (AFR) was not complete.
    The monthly funds sent to public schools are based on taxes collected the previous month.
    Supt. Larry Lambert said all of the required reports the state asked for were submitted by mid-November with the help of their auditors and consultants.
    He welcomed the news this week. He said it is now their hope to keep all of the school accounts to where the auditors can work with them.    
    “I feel we are headed in the right direction,” he said.