Conway school board voted 5-2 not to call in prosecutors over maintenance theft claims
An Arkansas Legislative Audit report released in 2026 found Conway School District maintenance staff made $34,373 in questionable purchases from July 2023 to February 2025, including race-car parts and parts that fit no district vehicle, did personal work on the supervisor's home on district time, and used district equipment privately. A district-paid investigation recommended firing two employees in May 2025, but the board let them retire or resign effective June 30, paying the supervisor $18,550 for unused sick leave plus a $900 bonus. Auditors said the superintendent reported the loss to ALA more than three months late and the board failed to notify law enforcement; on September 9, 2025 it voted 5-2 against asking the prosecutor to investigate. State Police arrested former supervisor Bruce Harrell and Justin Turney on felony theft charges in September 2026.
Both were charged with three felony counts of theft of property and given a $1,500 bond.
The Board failed to report suspected improprieties to law enforcement, and the Superintendent failed to report the loss of funds to ALA timely, in noncompliance with Arkansas Code.
Both men face three felony counts of Theft of Property and were each given a $1,500 bond.
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