Reparations

Distributing reparations is an important use of the funds because students and parents were affected by the embezzlement and they deserve recompense. The tuition money that was stolen came directly from families who thought they were paying for a valuable education for their children, not for lining private bank accounts and gambling sprees in Las Vegas. According to a press release from the Department of Justice, letters to the court from students and parents mentioned how the school was lacking in resources and that Sister Mary Margaret had stated there was no money for an awning to shield students from the sun and no money for field trips (McEvoy). Clearly, the theft of this money meant for the school had a tangible impact on students' education, and they and their families deserve reparations. Distributing reparations to those families whose money was stolen and whose students subsequently received a subpar education experience is only fair and just. The technicalities of allocating reparation money are complex and will not be parsed out easily, but should be evaluated. This action is a small part of a larger solution that will take the first step to repair the trust that has been broken as a result of this enormous wrong.