Argo District 217 citing transparency released a long-awaited report Wednesday night that showed former Supt. William Toulios spent thousands of district dollars on porn sites, erectile dysfunction medication, meals and Amazon gift cards.
Board President Dr. Jennifer Grenier released a detailed statement after the Nov. 19 meeting outlining how the district planned to move forward.
Wednesday night, the board approved the release of the investigative report by Akerman and the accounting firm Meaden & Moore.
Grenier said portions were redacted to protect attorney-client privilege and sensitive personal information but said the board aimed to share “as much transparency as possible.”
Her statement went further, speaking directly to families, staff and residents. She noted her personal connection to the district and said the board is responsible for upholding “the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and service.”
Investigators spent months interviewing Toulios, school board members, and school staffers. They concluded that from late 2022 until the spring of 2024 Toulios engaged in reckless use of the district credit card and spent thousands of dollars on unauthorized personal purchases.
The report found that Toulios actively tried to cover up the improper spending. He said his credit card had been compromised. He blamed the porn charges on his son. He urged school staff to create fake receipts and failed to provide required documentation for much of his credit card use. He said some porn charges were for a legitimate conservative website. He also declined to share records with investigators citing privacy concerns.
Improper charges started showing up after Joe Murphy left as Assistant Superintendent of Finance in 2022 and continued until 2024. The report said oversight was lacking and the protocols and policies for approving credit card purchases were not followed.
That failing allowed Toulios to buy $25,000 worth of Amazon gift cards, make donations to a local church and his son’s hockey team, pay $3,500 for I-Pass tolls, order a package of generic Viagra that was delivered to his office at Argo High School, and to spend an estimated $5,000 on personal food and beverages.
As the investigation began, Toulios wrote in a text message to a staffer: “I am sorry I can’t lie anymore, and I can’t live with myself. I have ruined all that I hold dear in this world, and I can’t even begin to describe how much I can’t stop crying for what I did to everyone. I deserve what I have, and it’s not your fault, it is me.”
Toulios resigned as superintendent last week after he had been reassigned in the spring over the charges. The district’s attorney said the agreement included no severance package and only the vacation payout required by state law, along with a standard waiver of claims.
The board also shifted its leadership and elected Grenier as president and Cathy Jozwiak as vice president. Principal Brandon Cotter has been serving as acting superintendent since then.
In her letter, Grenier acknowledged that the situation had damaged trust and apologized for the “disappointment and concern” the events caused. She said the district intends to rebuild that trust through consistent action and laid out several steps already in motion, including dual approval for high-value purchases, monthly reviews of procurement card activity and annual ethical stewardship training for senior leaders.
She also addressed the climate around the investigation. Grenier said social media posts had been “cruel and disheartening” but added she was willing to face criticism if it means strengthening accountability. She encouraged residents to reach out to her directly with questions, saying honest conversations matter more than anonymous comments online.
Grenier closed her message by thanking teachers, staff, students and families for their patience and commitment during what she called a challenging period for the district. She said Argo students deserve the district’s best and that the board intends to earn back the community’s confidence.