Investigation Reveals Improper Payments from Bearden High School Football Booster Club

Knoxville, Tennessee – A recent investigation has uncovered that the Bearden High School Football Booster Club improperly paid two coaches a total of at least $60,000 over a two-year period. The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury conducted the inquiry, revealing that booster club officers wrote 23 checks to the football coaches without the necessary approval from the Knox County School System (KCSS).

Officials from the Knox County Schools stated they were unaware of these unauthorized payments and had requested the investigation into the matter. The timeline of the checks spans from July 1, 2022, to September 30, 2024. Following the investigation’s findings, the Comptroller’s office has forwarded the information to the state attorney general’s office and the Knox County District Attorney’s Office to assess if any criminal activity took place.

The report highlighted that not obtaining approval for coach salary supplements could violate the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) policy. This policy mandates that any funds supporting coach salaries must receive endorsement from the school’s board of education, principal, or director.

In addition to the salary payments, the report also noted that the booster club had charged players fees and deposited that money into its account rather than the school’s accounts. Some of these fees were intended for player insurance and other related expenses. Aside from the questionable salary payments, officials also found other disbursements exceeding $13,000 which were used for food, gift cards, and supplies. These disbursements lacked proper receipts and documentation.

According to the guidelines, disbursements must be justified as benefiting the football team and require adequate supporting documentation. The Bearden football team finished the 2024 season with an overall record of nine wins and four losses.

The findings highlight significant internal control and compliance deficiencies within the Bearden High School Football Booster Club, raising questions about the stewardship of funds intended for student athletes.