Former PTO president indicted for theft
A former Parent Teacher Organization president at Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary School was indicted on a count of theft over $1,000 after an investigation determined she used almost $2,500 of PTO funds for personal benefit.
Tameka Harrison left office as PTO president on May 27, 2017. Based on an investigation by the state comptroller’s office, she admitted using the funds on Jan. 29.
Unauthorized purchases were made at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Amazon.com, gas stations and other locations. She also purchased a one-year membership to the Memphis Zoo and made a $450 ATM withdrawal, according to the comptroller’s investigative report.
Records show Harrison repaid $203.22 to the organization, leaving an unpaid balance of $2,283.72. During the Jan. 29 interview, Harrison said she was willing to repay funds to the PTO.
“Tennessee law requires all school support organizations, such as PTOs, to establish procedures for safeguarding funds,” Comptroller Justin Wilson said in the press release. “This organization should take some basic steps such as maintaining bank deposit slips, reconciling the PTO’s bank account, and not letting one person collect and deposit all funds.”
The school — part of the Shelby County Schools system — is located northwest of the Tenn. 385 junction at Ridgeway.