MINNEAPOLIS (June 7, 2006) - The Board of Directors of the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) announced today that a preliminary internal investigation has revealed inadequate financial controls in the nonprofit organization's operating procedures. Effective June 7, 2006, the Board has terminated the employment of the association's executive director, Tom Rolnicki, and associate director, Ann Akers. A national search for a new executive director is planned. Chris Worthington, former managing editor and former business and technology editor of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, has been appointed NSPA's interim Executive Director.

Based on examination of NSPA's records, it appears that during 2004 and 2005 the association's executive director failed to exercise necessary care and prudence in managing financial processes, expense reimbursements and federal tax filings. A full review of NSPA's financial controls and records during these and prior years is underway.

J. Patrick Plunkett and Heidi Christianson of the law firm of Moore, Costello & Hart, P.L.L.P, have been retained to manage the internal investigation with the assistance of the public accounting firm Larson, Allen, Weishair & Co., L.L.P. The NSPA Board plans further public comment when its internal investigation is complete. A full audit report and findings from the internal investigation will be posted on NSPA's website (www.studentpress.org) upon presentation to and acceptance by the Board.

NSPA's Board President, Dr. Albert R. Tims, said that NSPA's Board of Directors is pleased to have Chris Worthington assume executive leadership of NSPA at this critical moment. Mr. Worthington is an award-winning journalist and senior manager with more than twenty-five years of experience including online, magazine and television partnerships. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Dallas and a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Tims added that NSPA's Board is committed to working with Mr. Worthington to sustain NSPA's important and highly respected educational programs and to ensure that the association operates with integrity, transparency and full accountability. Mr. Worthington will work with the Board to develop and implement a comprehensive operating improvement plan and will be responsible for implementing all directives resulting from the ongoing investigation and audits.

About NSPA

NSPA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization headquartered and incorporated in Minnesota. Memberships for middle school, junior high school and high school student media are organized under the National Scholastic Press Association division of NSPA. Memberships for college, university and professional and technical school student media are organized under the Associated Collegiate Press division of NSPA. Middle school, junior high school and high school student media in Minnesota are organized under the Minnesota High School Press Association division of NSPA. Memberships are open to all student media at public and private schools at an annual membership fee.

Each division of NSPA publishes and provides journalism education materials, media critique and recognition programs for members, information on developments in journalism and student media and a forum for members to communicate with others and share their work. NSPA and its divisions cooperate with student media associations and non-student groups and businesses that share its mission to educate and recognize the work of student journalists, to improve the quality of student media and to foster careers in media.

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