$40,000 gone from school funds for play equipment

A criminal investigation is underway into how $40,000 went missing from the savings account belonging to Keating Elementary School’s parent advisory committee.

“The investigation is into the bookkeeping of the funds and the person at the centre of that,” said Central Saanich Police Chief Les Sylven. “If the evidence is there to forward a request to Crown counsel for charges, that’s certainly what we will be doing.”

An investigation was launched in July, he said.

The money had been collected privately through fundraising and was not part of the school’s funding provided by the government. The Saanich school district lends guidance to parent advisory committees, but does not provide oversight, said Keven Elder, Saanich superintendent of schools.

Elder informed parents on Tuesday that $40,000 raised by the Keating Home and School Association, which serves as the school’s parent advisory council, was gone. “I’m very sorry to inform you that the entire savings account has been compromised, in fact reduced to virtually zero,” said a letter from Elder.

The money had been earmarked for new playground equipment.

Police are investigating the actions of a former member of the executive and “no one else is under suspicion,” Elder said.

He said he was told something was amiss in late June by the school’s principal, and they imme- diately contacted the bank and Central Saanich police.

Parent and community fundraising is integral to the growth of the school, Elder said, adding that everything possible will be done to restore the missing money.

The superintendent told parents he understands the loss to Keating parents and staff is not just monetary.

“This is hard to comprehend, and is disturbing within the Keating community and beyond,” his letter said. “The only thing to do now is look forward in optimism and confidence. We will work together to support creation of the great play spaces that were envisioned.”

The board of education and district administration, along with the confederation of parent advisory councils, will support the parent advisory council to establish clear guidelines and protocols to prevent such losses in the future, Elder wrote.

James Taylor, president of the Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils of Saanich, said the situation has been hard on people.

“Obviously, everyone is completely devastated and upset and shocked,” Taylor said.

“It’s a real tragedy, but having said that, I think the story will be less about the incident and more in the future about how this community rallies.”

Keating will be able to get through the difficult times, he said. “I can’t speak highly enough of the staff and the families there. It is a very strong community and a very strong school.”