We had this happen at one of our school the amount over 20,000.00 and the school board decided that they would not press charge against this person because they thought that it was not the image they want to have. the parent paid back the money and rules in our schools changed so that no bonded school people (teachers office workers ect...) can be on the P.T.O. boards I personly thought that it sent the wrong message to our kids that the school didn't that it to the law and press charges against her.
Thanks again. I am aware of the "slander" issue - and am fully prepared not to disclose any information that would in effect "defame her character". I am unsure as to how to answer any questions that will arise tonight as to why we feel compelled to have a professional audit done on our accounting books. I have made calls to the Principal and Superintendent to ask for their support tonight. I'll keep you posted.
No, I don't think you're wrong to not disclose it yet. If you disclose it, and it turns to be wrong, you've slandered an innocent person (and don't forget, people are innocent until proven guilty.) You're not doing any harm by waiting a while. There's also the issue of adverse publicity. I'm sure the district will want to be involved in how the matter is handled, so as to avoid publicity.
Thanks for the replies - Of all things we have our monthly meeting tonight and we are still in the middle of gathering all the evidence. I don't feel that I can disclose any information at this time to the public. Am I wrong not to do so?
Yes the principal, yes the superintendent, yes the police, and finally yes to the memebership. Now that you have got control of the ship you HAVE to let the membership know first hand what happened so the rumours do not start to fly that there was a cover up. And last but not least, they need to know that the money the fundraisers raised, that came out of their pockets was taken and you took care of the matter in a responsible way. This will make them trust you again sooner rather than later. --good luck
First make sure you have concrete proof that she did take the money. Bank statements etc. If she did in fact take the money you need to contact your superindent and tell him what is going on. We did prosecute our former treasurer and recovered all of our money. It doesnt matter that you have 2 names on the checking as in our case the money was taken in cash from the carnival, holiday shoppe, just about every thing that we did. She slipped up by taking too much and the checks started bouncing. Her family paid back all of the money and we are talking around the same amount as you. But we still pressed charges and she now has a felony on her record. We felt that if we did not press charges then she could very well do this to another organization or PTO and we did not want them to go though what we did. Good luck but don't drop the ball on this one.
