Money set aside to mentor students at a Long Island high school was allegedly used very differently than intended, according to a newly released audit that paints a troubling picture of lax oversight and questionable spending.
An investigation into finances at Wyandanch Memorial High School found that longtime principal Paul Sibblies repeatedly reimbursed himself from a student club account to cover personal expenses, including upscale meals, alcohol-fueled staff gatherings, and recreational activities, according to the New York Post.
The audit was conducted by the school district along with Island-based accounting firm R.S. Abrams & Co. and made public last week.
“This lack of additional outside oversight raises significant concerns regarding financial accountability and internal controls,” the auditors wrote.
The funds came from the school’s Kappa Club account, which was intended to support a youth mentoring program by paying for student activities, trips and after-school programming. Instead, auditors said, thousands of dollars were routed back to Sibblies through reimbursements he approved himself.
Among the expenses flagged were events described as “End of Year Party” and “Staff Faculty Party,” which were held at restaurants and included open bars. Other charges raised further questions, including an entry for “Jet Ski Rental — Bermuda Trip” and another labeled “EOY Academic Success,” which auditors said covered a steak-and-lobster dinner for two in Delaware that also included alcohol.
The audit concluded that the spending did not comply with New York State Education Department rules governing extracurricular activity funds.
Sibblies, who has served as principal since 2009, allegedly received more than 40 questionable reimbursements between July 2021 and November 2024, totaling over $35,500. Auditors noted that the Kappa Club was never formally approved or recognized by the school board, despite being under Sibblies’ control.
“We were unable to determine the appropriateness of employee reimbursements issued to the Kappa Club’s faculty advisor, who also serves as the High School Principal,” the audit stated.
“We identified questionable expenditures within the extracurricular activity fund that do not appear to be directly related to club activities,” it added.
According to the report, Sibblies not only oversaw the club’s finances but also signed checks made out to himself, often without any independent review. The only additional sign-off came from the club’s treasurer, who, auditors said, also worked as Sibblies’ clerical secretary.
The audit also highlighted hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations linked to the Kappa Club and a middle school club, citing missing records, vague descriptions and insufficient documentation showing how the money was collected or spent.
In response, the school board voted nearly unanimously in November to hire outside legal counsel to further investigate the findings. District officials said the probe remains ongoing.
“The district is continually reviewing policies and protocols, and we have begun implementing strengthened financial oversight measures,” Wyandanch Superintendent Dr. Erik Wright said in a statement.
“As this is a matter of personnel, the district has no further comment,” he added.
