Jermaine Pigee, The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa –
A second Grimes Elementary School employee suspected of stealing thousands of dollars from the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization has been arrested.
Dana Dee Hanson, 37, was booked into the Des Moines County jail Tuesday on a warrant charging her with second-degree theft. She since has posted a $7,500 bond.
The Burlington woman is a former secretary at the elementary school. She resigned from the Burlington School District after five years and four months of service at the end of last school year.
Burlington Police Department detectives started investigating in September after school officials reported funds from the Grimes PTO, and possibly some district money, were taken from their accounts.
Hanson is accused of stealing about $6,000 from the Grimes PTO.
Superintendent Jane Evans said the district called the Iowa State Auditor’s Office to look at the PTO books and determine how the funds were taken, and what the district must do to avoid future incidents.
Evans recently said she is not sure how long the theft has been going on.
The Grimes PTO is a collaborative organization open to all Grimes parents, guardians, teachers, administrators and interested community members.
It allocates money for student field trip scholarships, playground improvements, safety measures, classroom supplies and equipment.
Because she has not been to court, detectives from the Burlington Police Department declined to release any additional information Thursday.
Marsha Diane Johnson, 40, who is accused of stealing $10,288.05 from the Grimes PTO, turned herself into police last week.
Detectives from the Burlington Police Department say there are no other suspects.
Is there any woman anywhere in the state of Iowa who is employed in a public position of trust who is not robbing us blind?