Suspended McKinley High School principal Crystal Boling-Barton is under investigation for $22,000 in potentially questionable purchases she made using public funds, district lawyers said in court Thursday morning.
Barton, who was suspended from McKinley eight months ago after she was accused of discriminating against LGBTQ students, made $22,000 in purchases using student activity funds over a period of 10 years, Buffalo Public Schools General Counsel Nathaniel Kuzma said.
Barton’s attorney Robert Boreanaz called the revelation before State Supreme Court Justice Diane Y. Devlin "absolutely irresponsible" and said the allegations were "completely, totally unfounded." He said the purchases were made for an exhibit on African-American history and culture and said she has submitted receipts for the purchases.
Lawyers for Barton and for the school district appeared before the judge to argue whether Barton should be re-instated as principal. Devlin ruled in the district's favor so she remains on administrative leave as the second investigation (involving the $22,000 in purchases) progresses.
Tune in to 7 Eyewitness News at 11 p.m. for a months-long I-Team report of Barton's tenure at McKinley and how much she has made while she has been suspended.
