Iowa High School Teacher Fired After Offering Students Extra Credit for Cash Donations

An Iowa high school teacher has been fired after allegedly offering students extra credit in exchange for donations to her personal GoFundMe account.

Stephanie Mullaley, who taught at a high school in the Clinton Community School District, reportedly told students in spring 2026 that she had created the fundraiser to support what she described as her “personal education goals.”

According to an administrative law judge’s ruling, Mullaley told students they could earn extra credit toward their grades if they contributed money to the fundraiser. Some students reportedly made donations, while others felt pressured to give because of the link between the payments and their grades.

The fundraiser listed expenses including transportation, flights, buses and boats, as well as food and hotel accommodation.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that the GoFundMe had a fundraising target of $1,800 but received $140 from six donations ranging from $5 to $50 before activity on the account was paused.

Mullaley was fired on May 29, 2026, after the school district determined that her conduct violated its ethics policy.

She later sought unemployment benefits, but Administrative Law Judge Duane Golden rejected her request. Golden ruled that her actions amounted to job-related misconduct and showed a “willful or wanton disregard” for the interests of her employer.

The case highlights concerns about the boundaries between teachers, students and financial transactions, particularly when grades or academic benefits are involved.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that it was unable to reach Mullaley for comment.