North Platte Public Schools is defending its spending practices after questions were raised about district credit card charges and checks, including restaurant bills, lodging and a charge at an Iowa casino, one day before the school board election.
The district said Monday that it recently completed its 2025-26 financial audit and that independent auditors found no discrepancies to date. It said claims are reviewed monthly by a rotating committee of two Board of Education members.
The spending under review includes tabs at Applebee’s, Chili’s, Cedar Room and PALS. The district said those establishments offer family dining and that the charges were for meals during approved travel involving athletic trips, student groups, professional groups or staff travel. North Platte Public Schools said itemized receipts are required for approved purchases and that expenses without the required documentation are not reimbursed.
The district also addressed a $60 charge labeled “ASCB Score Bet” at an Iowa casino. It described the charge as a meal purchase connected to official school-function travel, saying the venue also operates as a dining facility.
Travel and activity expenses
Two Airbnb stays identified in the questions involved boys and girls teams attending a powerlifting competition, the district said. Student fundraising paid the expenses, and the district said the stays created no net cost for taxpayers or the district’s general operating funds.
- Restaurant charges were described as meals during approved school travel and activities.
- The Iowa charge was described as a meal purchase during official travel.
- Two Airbnb stays for a powerlifting competition were funded through student fundraising, according to the district.
The district said reimbursements to its former activities director covered mileage, meals and hotel accommodations connected to oversight and travel for student activities during the 2025-26 school year.
North Platte Public Schools also identified funding sources for several trips and events. A middle school trip to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts was organized and paid for through student fundraising, while an end-of-year trip to Elitch Gardens was funded through student fundraising, the district said.
The spending questions emerged as North Platte voters prepared to cast ballots in the school board election. The district’s statement focused on its audit process, approval procedures and the funding sources it said supported the travel and activities.
