Paso Robles district probes $70,000 in personal spending
Four administrators faced scrutiny for winery visits and merchandise charges shortly after voters rejected a $205 million bond.
By Julian Schulz ·
Four senior officials in the Paso Robles Unified School District are under review for using public funds on personal purchases, including wine and promotional goods, just days before voters turned down a major funding measure. The district issued credit cards to its superintendent and three assistant superintendents between July 2023 and June 2026. An investigation by Cal Coast News found that these four cards were used for personal expenses totaling $70,000.
The spending occurred while the district sought $205 million from taxpayers. On November 3, 2026, voters rejected Measure G-26, which would have authorized the district to borrow that amount for classroom renovations and new facilities. According to Ballotpedia data, 4,906 voters cast ballots against the measure while 4,177 voted in favor. Of the 9,083 total ballots cast, 54.01% rejected the proposal.
Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Erin Haley recorded the highest total charges on her district card. Her tab reached $110,433, a figure that includes nearly $39,600 for technology and subscriptions. District policy requires these items to go through purchase orders. Haley’s charges also included over $10,000 for dining and catering, almost $3,000 at a local brewery, and nearly $7,700 for a vendor that prints promotional T-shirts.
Shauna Ames, the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, charged just under $37,000 on her card. Much of this amount went to winery events, awards, entertainment, and meals. One event at San Antonio Winery cost more than $7,700, while gifts and awards accounted for over $5,100 of the total.
Brad Pawlowski, the district’s Chief Business Officer and Assistant Superintendent, incurred $90 in charges at Sees Candy. He also paid for restaurant meals, golf, and coffee locally. His card covered 23 meal and drink charges in Bakersfield, where he consults for the state-funded Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team. Since 2023, Pawlowski has earned approximately $90,000 from consulting work alongside his $316,000 annual salary and benefits from the district.
Superintendent Jennifer Loftus had $23,451 in total card charges. Only a few thousand dollars of that amount raised specific questions during the review. District policy prohibits the use of public funds for gifts, flowers, gift cards, and personal expenses. Meals and drinks are permitted only for meetings that include attached attendance sheets and agendas.
The four cards under scrutiny represent a small portion of the roughly 25 credit cards the district issues. The findings prompted a closer look at how funds were allocated during the bond campaign period.
