An Iowa administrative law judge has denied unemployment benefits to a former Clinton Community School District employee who allegedly offered students extra credit in exchange for cash contributions to her personal fundraising campaign.
Administrative Law Judge Duane Golden ruled that Stephanie Mullaley’s actions constituted job-related misconduct. In his decision, Golden determined that Mullaley demonstrated a “willful or wanton disregard” of her employer’s interests by leveraging her classroom authority to solicit funds.
Mullaley worked as a paraeducator and long-term substitute teacher for the Clinton district beginning in 2022. During the 2025-26 school year, she shared her personal educational goals with students. In the spring of 2026, Mullaley allegedly informed students they could earn extra credit by donating money to a GoFundMe account established in her name.
The district terminated Mullaley’s employment on May 29, 2026. Officials cited violations of ethics policy and noted that she used her position as a teacher to pressure students to donate funds. Some students contributed to the campaign before the termination occurred.
Fundraising Campaign Details
Online records indicate Mullaley launched the GoFundMe account earlier this year with the stated purpose of financing travel to Ecuador in July 2026. The campaign was intended to cover transportation, food, and hotel accommodations for a trip with her husband.
Mullaley stated that she planned to interpret for a medical mission team during the trip, helping to bridge language barriers. The fundraising page set a goal of $1,800. It received six donations ranging from $5 to $50, totaling $140, before the account was paused.
Golden’s ruling confirms that Mullaley is ineligible for state unemployment benefits due to the nature of her dismissal.