Paso Robles school leaders spent district funds at wineries, restaurants

Four top school administrators in Paso Robles are under scrutiny for allegedly spending thousands of dollars in district funds on winery visits, lunches and merchandise — just as voters rejected a bond measure to hand over $205 million to the district.

Between July 2023 and June 2026, the district-issued credit cards of the superintendent and three assistant superintendents were used to make personal purchases totaling a staggering $70,000, according to an investigative report by the Cal Coast News.

The news outlet said the four cards are only a fraction of the roughly 25 credit cards issued by the district.

The largest tab belonged to Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Erin Haley. She charged a total of $110,433 to her card, including nearly $39,600 for technology and subscriptions that district policy says should go through purchase orders, the outlet reported.

It also listed more than $10,000 in dining and catering, almost $3,000 at a local brewery and nearly $7,700 for a vendor that prints promotional T-shirts and similar items.

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Shauna Ames charged just under $37,000 on the district-issued credit card, with much of it spent on winery events, awards, entertainment and meals.

A San Antonio Winery event tab topped $7,700, and gifts and awards came to more than $5,100, according to the Cal Coast News.

Brad Pawlowski, the district’s Chief Business Officer and Assistant Superintendent, spent $90 at Sees Candy, along with restaurant, golf club and coffee charges locally.

He also had 23 meal and drink charges paid in Bakersfield, near the state-funded Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), where he consults on the side.

Since 2023, Pawlowski has made approximately $90,000 for consulting on multiple projects along with his annual $316,000 in salary and benefits from the Paso Robles school district, the outlet reported.

Superintendent Jennifer Loftus had only a couple thousand dollars of her $23,451 in card charges that raised questions.

The administrators are not allowed to use public funds for gifts, flowers, gift cards and personal expenses, per the district’s policy on credit cards. Meanwhile, meals and drinks are allowed only for meetings, if attendance sheets and agendas are attached to the paperwork.

On Nov. 3, voters rejected Measure G-26 that would have let the district borrow $205 million to renovate classrooms, fix aging infrastructure and build new facilities.

According to results listed by Ballotpedia, 54.01% voted no (4,906 votes) and 45.99% voted yes (4,177 votes) out of 9,083 ballots cast.

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