Arizona Teacher Misappropriation of Funds | Misuse Money
What would happen if a teacher was accused of misappropriating school funds?
Let’s talk about what that is or what it can mean. Generally, it would be using school money to support your gain rather than using it as the state laws and regulations require.
Let’s backtrack and talk about the school level and what would likely happen. So, the state statute requires the school district or governing board. Suppose they believe that they reasonably suspect that you have misappropriated school funds. In that case, they have mandated reporters.
Links of Interest:
What Happens If You are Suspected of Misappropriation of Funds?
I’m sure there are many policies within your school handbook that you receive and sign upon becoming an employee. Your school would likely discipline you. It could mean administrative leave, paid or unpaid.
Again, if they reasonably suspect, they will report this to local authorities because it is a crime, and the police will likely investigate it. They’ll also report if it has anything to do with any student’s safety or well-being. Child protective services may be involved. It is rare, but law enforcement will likely get involved and open an investigation. They will also report you to the State Board of Education.
So, at the school level, it’s likely administrative leave, paid or unpaid, or they may terminate your employment.
At the state level, your licensing board will open an investigation again if they reasonably suspect that you did misuse the money. They’re going to look and see how this affected students.
Mitigating Circumstances Information
They may consider mitigating or aggravating circumstances.
Mitigating circumstances might be that you’re new to this position or you’re new to this profession if you have any prior discipline.
And then aggravating circumstances, were you disciplined prior? Were you under investigation for anything similar? Things like that. That would exacerbate them, and the board could hold a hearing.
If you agree to a consent agreement, it stops there, conforming to the discipline. If you contest that, you say, I can’t entirely agree with that. You would go to a hearing with the Professional Practices Advisory Committee, where you may have witnesses you can examine; you can put on evidence as exhibits, and that committee will find facts and conclusions of law.
Information Regarding Categories of Discipline
The discipline by the state board of Arizona education has only four categories. There’s a:
- Letter of Censure
- Suspension
- Suspension with conditions, or
- Revocation (your teaching license is revoked).
Misappropriating school funds is handled seriously. And I wouldn’t be just concerned with the licensing board. Your local law enforcement will likely investigate depending on the amount and circumstances. So, it’s serious. You want to take it very seriously.
I would advise speaking with an attorney, if not having one, to represent you if anything like that ever came up to you.
Arizona Board of Education Attorney
Reach out to us today to learn more about our Arizona Board of Education License Defense Attorney.