Adult-site charges on Argo Superintendent’s card uncovered through FOIA

Outrage erupted at the Argo Community High School District 217 board meeting Wednesday night as parents, staff, and residents accused the board of failing to hold Superintendent Dr. William Toulios accountable for thousands of dollars in questionable spending — including charges tied to adult-content websites — made on a district-issued credit card.

At the center of the firestorm: more than $8,000 in charges since early in 2023 that officials initially attributed to a family member of Toulios. Though the superintendent repaid part of that amount, new records obtained through a public records request appear to show additional spending unrelated to district business — and little disciplinary action taken.

“This is completely unacceptable,” said Mark Karge, an Argo graduate and community member. A certified public accountant, Karge told the board he reviewed nearly two years of credit card statements and found thousands of dollars in suspect transactions.

Among the charges he cited:

• $2,550 to Epoch, a third-party payment processor commonly used for adult entertainment websites
  
• $1,098 to Slushy, a subscription-based video platform that allows creators — many in the adult industry — to share explicit content and earn money through tips, messages, and subscriptions
  
• $4,697 in prepaid Visa gift cards
  
• Additional memberships, medical expenses, and sports-related fees with no clear link to school business
  

According to Slushy’s website, the platform is similar in function to TikTok or Instagram but built specifically for adult-themed creators, offering them a space to post content without fear of removal or account bans.

“The spending only stopped after I submitted the FOIA,” Karge told the board. “My biggest question is: Was the board aware of these facts? And if so, why was Dr. Toulios allowed to pay back only a fraction and face no consequences?”

Board response draws fire

Board President Dan Kozal said the district’s business manager and auditors reviewed the charges and considered the matter closed.

“He paid it back,” Kozal said. “It was investigated.”

But the crowd wasn’t buying it.

“You each got a letter individually, and nothing was done,” Karge said, drawing applause.

He also questioned the independence of the review. “You had the assistant superintendent for finance investigate the superintendent?” he said. “Audits don’t uncover fraud.”

When board member Nick Caprio asked, “Haven’t you ever made a mistake?” gasps rippled through the room.

“This isn’t a mistake,” shot back Catherine, a mother of six Argo graduates. “Twenty-five times is not a mistake. You fired another administrator over a tweet.”

She also said that Toulios should have been fired over the charges.

Staffer says she raised red flags for a year

Pam Young, a 24-year employee and secretary to Principal Brandon Cotter, told the board she had repeatedly raised concerns about Toulios’ spending — and was brushed off.

“I’ve seen the statements. There are thousands and thousands of dollars,” she said. “I got an email that said, ‘The attorneys already opened an investigation.’ No — I didn’t drop the FOIA. I saw the transactions.”

“You’re hiding something,” she added. “I feel it every single day. It’s ridiculous.”

She also said she was afraid to go public with her concerns because she feared she would be fired.

Policy changes, but questions remain

In 2024, the board accepted Toulios’ partial repayment and implemented new financial controls, including stricter purchase order requirements and dual-review of credit card statements. But several residents said the public was never given a full accounting.

“You’re supposed to stand up for our kids,” one speaker said. “And you’re brushing this under the rug.”

Toulios did not speak during the meeting.

As the board moved to the next agenda item, Catherine turned to the room: “How can he still be superintendent if no one here trusts him anymore?”

Neither Toulios nor Kozal responded to requests for comment.