A 10 month investigation has ended with the former business manager of the Grundy Center School District facing a charge of first-degree theft. Kelly Engelkes of rural Holland is accused of taking nearly 60-thousand dollars from the Grundy Center School District. Engelkes, was charged yesterday after state auditors found several improper charges and questionable payments on the district’s accounts. Engelkes allegedly cashed unauthorized checks totaling 15-thousand dollars and wrongly charged nearly 20-thousand dollars to her school credit card. The auditor’s report shows district funds were used illegally to make several purchases, including furniture, a camera and a television. Auditors have sent a copy of their report to the school district and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Grundy Center Superintendent John Stevens requested the audit after concerns were raised about some district expenses. Engelkes worked for the Grundy Center School District from the fall of 1999 to February of this year, when she was fired.
