Lee County Schools await state auditor’s report after $190,589 embezzlement

Only two minutes before the Aug. 11 board meeting began, the state auditor’s office informed the Lee County School Board that their requested report would be provided in a few days. The board requested records from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor after waiting months for an investigative audit report after employee embezzlement.

Former Lee County Schools finance employee Jordan Marie Allred pleaded guilty in August 2026 to felony embezzlement of $190,588.93 from the school district.

The public records request seeks the completed audit report, records concerning the report’s completion, approval, transmission, anticipated release date, and communications between the auditor’s office and school representatives. The request asks for records reflecting prior inquiries about the report and any outstanding reviews, approvals or other processes that may have affected its release.

“Our goal is straightforward: accountability and transparency, and ensuring we effectively use any findings or recommendations to strengthen our financial controls and prevent similar issues in the future,” Chairperson Sherry Womack told Sandhills News.

“Because a promise to provide the report and actually receiving the report are two different things, we wanted to make sure there was a formal record of our request and the status of the report,” Womack said. “If the auditor’s findings identify weaknesses in our internal controls, we need to know what those are,” Womack said. “Our responsibility is to learn from what happened and take whatever corrective action is appropriate to protect our students, employees and taxpayers.”

She did not believe the delay was connected to political or publicity considerations surrounding the state auditor.

“We requested the report repeatedly, we did not receive it, and we need the findings so we can take whatever corrective action is appropriate,” Womack said.

James Alverson introduced the first N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state champions since 2011. The winning team was Southern Lee High School baseball team, the Cavaliers, under Head Coach Tommy Harrington. They won 35 and 5. “They won 19 consecutive games…Came to an end in game two regional finals. They lost 12 to two. I want you to think about the grit it took to bounce back. They fell back three to nothing and scored 13 unanswered and won the state championship.”

Board Member Changes

The board appointed David Smoak to the board of education.

To fill the vacancy created by Taylor Vorbeck on the Lee County Board of Commissioners, Eric Davidson formally resigned from the Lee County Board of Education on July 20, 2026. The Lee County Republican Party nominated David Smoak to fill the vacant position.

The board appointed Laura Stryffeler to the board of education.

Following the death of Marcus Mason in May 2026, the Lee County Republican Party nominated Laura Stryffeler to occupy the vacant position.

Member Chris Gaster will not seek re-election for the board of education, citing stress, and said he enjoyed his term and will stay until the end.

The next meeting is Sept. 8.

Aug. 12, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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