Four senior administrators in California’s Paso Robles school district are facing scrutiny over allegations that thousands of dollars in public funds were spent on winery events, meals and promotional merchandise—shortly before voters rejected a $205 million bond proposal for the district.
From July 2023 through June 2026, district-issued credit cards assigned to the superintendent and three assistant superintendents were used for purchases totaling about $70,000, according to an investigation by Cal Coast News.
The outlet noted that those four cards represent only a portion of the approximately 25 credit cards issued by the district.
The largest reported spending total was tied to Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Erin Haley. She charged $110,433 to her district card, including nearly $39,600 for technology and subscriptions that district policy reportedly requires to be processed through purchase orders, Cal Coast News reported.
Her expenses also included more than $10,000 for dining and catering, nearly $3,000 at a local brewery and about $7,700 paid to a vendor that produces promotional T-shirts and other merchandise.
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Shauna Ames charged just under $37,000 to her district card. Much of that spending involved winery events, awards, entertainment and meals.
One event at San Antonio Winery accounted for more than $7,700, while gifts and awards totaled over $5,100, according to Cal Coast News.
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Brad Pawlowski, the district’s chief business officer and an assistant superintendent, used his card for a $90 purchase at See’s Candies, as well as local restaurant, golf club and coffee expenses.
His records also showed 23 meal and beverage charges in Bakersfield, near the state-funded Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, or FCMAT, where he works as a consultant.
Since 2023, Pawlowski has earned approximately $90,000 from consulting on several projects, in addition to his annual Paso Robles school district salary and benefits package of $316,000, the outlet reported.
Superintendent Jennifer Loftus had only a few thousand dollars of her $23,451 in credit card charges flagged as questionable.
District credit card rules prohibit administrators from using public money for gifts, flowers, gift cards or personal expenses. Meals and beverages are permitted only for meetings, and the required documentation must include attendance sheets and agendas.
On Nov. 3, voters rejected Measure G-26, which would have authorized the Paso Robles school district to borrow $205 million for classroom renovations, infrastructure repairs and new facilities.
Ballotpedia’s results show that 54.01% of voters opposed the measure, with 4,906 votes, while 45.99% supported it, with 4,177 votes. A total of 9,083 ballots were cast.
