One of our board members is a convicted felon. Whatever she did (I have never asked details) happened a long time ago. All I know is that currently she is a great person and a great volunteer.
However, we have taken precautions to make sure she is never involved with any money in our organization. She is not on the bank account and can't countersign checks. She doesn't chair any projects that involve money. It's not my money - it belongs to our whole group and I take that responsibility very seriously. I have done everything I can to protect our group from criticism of any kind regarding this issue.
If this happened at my school I would welcome you, as a parent, to question what was being done to safeguard the money. I would probably call the president of the group privately and very politely bring up my concerns. Just make sure this information (about the shoplifting) is true before I before you talk to anyone about it.
Another way to approach it might be that any parent who reads the headlines these days might naturally be curious about the cash control processes and accounting safeguards in place for a PTO.
I don't think it would be unreasonable at all for you to ask generic questions regarding that without focusing on an individual.
Never rely on second hand information as a fact. The vast majority of the time second hand information is less then factual.
If the woman was indeed charged with shop lifting, there may also be circumstances that you are not aware of. My mothers best friend was falsely charged with shop lifting. She was online waiting to make a purchase and her toddler took off and ran out the front door into the parking lot, she of course took off in a panic after him with the merchandise still in her hand. Security grabbed her as she exited the store. She was screaming that her son was in the parking lot. Security went and got her child but still called the police and had her arrested and prosecuted. The worse part was they held her and her son at the police station for about 10 hours. It was a nightmare for her and months of litigation and in the end after the surveillance camera tapes were viewed in court she was found not guilty.
If you have questions and concerns about this woman they you should go right to the top to get the answers.
I say concerened, first make sure the you are right in what you are saying about her. you don't want to get sued. Are you a PTA? if so I would contact them once you have the proof and see what the recommend.
You find out that one of your schools fundraisers is being chaired by a woman who has been brought up on shoplifting charges.
Please note that I am not a board member, simply a school parent. I have been told second hand that the board does not plan on taking any action on this and feels confident that the woman will handle the committee honestly and professionally.
Also note that this committee handles about $10,000. Not small change and much is done in cash.
