SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla.,None — A Seminole County elementary school was missing thousands of dollars and, WFTV found out, a school employee admitted helping herself to the cash for years.
Donna Arnold was a clerk at Rainbow Elementary School. WFTV confronted Arnold Wednesday and got a copy of her resignation letter, which included a bizarre apology.
The school clerk told school officials she was in a shameful situation and stole the money because she needed to pay medical bills. She also asked the school district not to press any charges against her.
"Did you steal money from Rainbow Elementary School?" WFTV reporter Mary Nguyen asked Donna Arnold.
"No, no, no," she replied.
Arnold told WFTV she didn't take school fundraising money when WFTV confronted her, but in her resignation letter she told the Seminole County School District she felt terrible for her actions.
She told the school: "I did not take the $20,430.78. Which is the amount stated. I am willing to pay $15,000, but I did not take it. I understand I did something wrong and I am willing to pay for it."
An investigation was opened in February when someone found a large amount of cash and un-deposited checks in Arnold's desk. An audit revealed she had been pocketing cash for the past five years.
The district says no one knew about it because her books were always balanced. The report says she used funds from other accounts to cover her tracks.
"You never want to hear about stealing especially from children's schools where they don't have the money already," parent Brian Kenney said.
Even though the school district says she took $20,000, officials accepted Arnold's offer and took the $15,000.
"Frankly, getting the $15,000 recovery without all the expenses of the lawsuit is a pretty good recovery," said Ned Julian, School District Attorney.
Some parents feel the clerk got off easy. They believe the full amount should be paid back to the school. The children are the ones who miss out.
"Parents have worked very hard to get that money. I think it should be the full restitution," another parent said.
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office is investigating and Arnold could be charged criminally. If she is convicted of a felony, she will lose her retirement benefits.
WFTV
