Des Moines principal improperly spent $4,700 on toy collectibles, other items, audit shows

A former Des Moines elementary school principal improperly spent more than $4,700 on technology, toys and collectibles using a school credit card, according to state and district reports.

The purchases included dozens of small, wide-eyed collectible toys known as Funko Pops that lined display shelves in his office at Moulton Elementary School.

Eric Van Dorin displayed about $2,000 worth of items, including baseball memorabilia, bobbleheads, and "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars" books.

He also bought a digital camera, sound bar and smart watch using the credit card, according to the district's internal audit.

The items were purchased over three years, starting during the 2015-16 school year, the report says. At times, Van Dorin approved his own expenses.

Teaching license suspended

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, which oversees teaching licenses in the state, sanctioned Van Dorin this spring for improperly using public money for personal use.

He received a three-month suspension and must take an ethics for educators course to have his license reinstated. He also received a written reprimand.

Van Dorin resigned on Aug. 31, 2017, the same month the district's investigation started.

He reimbursed Des Moines schools $1,800 and returned other items, including the digital camera. The collectible figures, books and sports memorabilia were kept by the district.

The items will be distributed to Moulton students as prizes at school events, district spokesman Phil Roeder said.

According to a LinkedIn account, Van Dorin now works for a private educational software company that develops lessons, games and assessments for parents and schools.

Messages sent to Van Dorin seeking comment were not returned.

Purchased over multiple years

Des Moines Public Schools began investigating the misuse of district money in August 2017.

The review stretched back to 2015, when Van Dorin was promoted to principal at Moulton Elementary. He previously worked as dean of students at Brubaker Elementary.

Electronics that had the potential to have educational purposes could not be located during visits to the school, the report said.

"In general, the itemized questionable items were exceedingly personalized to the principal's personal preference, or were not located at school," the report said.

The district submitted the audit report to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, as well as the county attorney and state auditor. Van Dorin has not faced any criminal charges related to the purchases.

Moulton serves some of the most disadvantaged students in the Des Moines district.

About 97 percent of students at the school qualify for subsidized meals, 90 percent are of a racial or ethnic minority, and 38 percent are learning English for the first time, according to the state department of education.