Theft charges recommended in PTO case

Nearly a year and a half after members of the parent-teacher organization at Ramsey Elementary reported more than $23,000 missing from their coffers, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department is recommending a grand theft charge be filed against the group’s former treasurer.

Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor Denise Rosen will decide whether to pursue charges against Kristine M. Gardner, Ramsey PTO treasurer during the 2004-05 school year.

“There’s just a big binder full of documents to go through,” said Chief Deputy Prosecutor Marty Raap. “She could file it; she could not file it.” He said to expect a decision within a few days.

In January 2006, four Ramsey mothers who served on the PTO board went to the police after an audit confirmed the cash they suspected was missing was gone. The money was accounted for in September 2003 but missing when the women checked the account in September 2005, according to a police report.

“We’re hoping to get reimbursed for any of our losses and some other costs to us because of this,” Ramsey Principal Ann Walker said. “Right now, I’m not sure how much to say because it still is an ongoing case.”

Gardner is no longer with the Ramsey PTO and could not be reached for comment.

The volunteer group that helps with activities and raises money for the school is its own entity, independent from the school district and school.

A detective with the Coeur d’Alene Police Department ruled the lost funds amounted to about $18,000 to $20,000, said Sgt. Christie Wood, department spokeswoman. The case took more than a year for police to investigate because of the amount of information needed from other agencies and companies like banks, Wood said.

“It was just the sheer volume of information – the search warrants that had to be obtained for information,” Wood said. Plus, the detective had to set the case aside at times to focus on violent crime, she said.

Walker said the PTO has recovered well since the lost funds and subsequent publicity.

PTO leadership changes each year, Walker said, and the new members are eager to prove they’re trustworthy.

“We’ve had a great last couple of years,” Walker said. “They’ve worked hard to establish what a great, honest group of people they are.”

The group had a successful fall fundraiser and will be buying new playground equipment this summer, and financial records are available at every meeting for anyone to look at, Walker said.

“We totally want this behind us,” Walker said. “I just hope it comes to a resolution soon.”