LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Megan Carroll, former principal at Carolyn Wenz Elementary, and Kyle Shay, former principal of Mayo Middle School, both appeared in federal court this week following a March 17 indictment.
Shay appeared on April 1, facing a single charge of Theft/Embezzlement by Agent involving federally funded programs.
Carroll faced the same charge when she appeared on April 2.
According to the indictment, Carroll and Shay were “led by Superintendent Jeremy Larson from 2020 to 2023” and “were authorized to apply for mileage reimbursement for miles driven on official business, including lunch delivery. PUSD mileage rates were paid in cents per mile driven. In 2020 and 2021, MEGAN CARROLL and KYLE SHAY enriched themselves at PUSD expense by obtaining round-dollar figure checks for "mileage" reimbursement in amounts greater than miles actually driven on official business.”
The indictment also stated “each obtained money from PUSD with the help of Larson for work in excess of what each had actually completed in programs funded by federal dollars,” and “received money from grants, including ones funded with federal money. The federally funded program grants included, among others, Title I – Low Income, School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program and Child & Adult Care Food Program.”
The full indictment is available here.
During their appearances, both parties pleaded not guilty. A joint trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 1, in Springfield.
Carroll resigned from her position as principal in 2025.
Shay resigned from his role at Mayo Middle School in 2023. He currently works as the director of student support for Arcola CUSD #306.
The Prairie Press has reached out to District 95 and CUSD #306 for a comment. Both organizations issued public statements on April 2.
"The Board of Education has been informed of the recently unsealed federal indictment involving Kyle Shay and Megan Carroll, both former principals of Paris Union School District 95. At this time, the District has no additional information beyond what has been publicly released and will continue to fully cooperate with federal authorities. These individuals are no longer employed by Paris Union School District 95," District 95's statement said.
"The District Administration and Board of Education remain firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, transparency, and responsible financial stewardship. We take seriously the trust placed in our schools and will continue to act in the best interests of our students, staff, families, and community. Every Student, Every Opportunity, Every Day.," the District 95 statement concluded.
This is an ongoing investigation. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.