Former Bibb elementary PTO treasurer to report to jail, must pay restitution

A former treasurer for Vineville Academy’s Parent Teacher Organization is set to report to jail next week after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $30,000 from the group.

Eloise Maxine Reid, 49, pleaded guilty last week to 19 counts of fiduciary theft and was sentenced to 180 days in a probation detention center and 15 years probation, according to Bibb County Superior Court records. The judge ordered her to report to jail no later than 11 a.m. May 25.

She also must pay $32,175 restitution to Vineville Academy within 42 months.

Sentenced as a first offender, Reid’s probation may be terminated after five years if she pays the restitution and otherwise abides by terms of her sentence, according to court records.

Bibb County Schools spokeswoman Stephanie Hartley said Vineville Academy’s PTO disbanded at the end of the 2014-2015 school year and the school started a new group, the Vineville Important Parents, in its place.

The new organization still provides the school and parents an opportunity to work together, but all funds are funneled through a school account. Signatures of the principal and secretary are required for all transactions, Hartley said.

Reid was arrested in August 2014, accused of writing 19 checks, amounting to $33,975, between April 19, 2013, and Aug. 11, 2014. The first check, written for $2,500, was the only one made payable to Reid.

Attempts to reach Reid’s lawyer for comment weren’t successful Wednesday.

Charges still are pending against a former Skyview Elementary PTO officer also arrested in 2014.

Jennifer Edwards, 40, who served as PTO treasurer, is accused of taking $8,416 between Feb. 2, 2014, and June 16, 2014.

She was indicted on 38 counts of fiduciary theft in May 2015.

Hartley said new officers are in place at the Skyview PTO since the incident. Although they manage the organization, PTO members now must discuss all purchases or financial transactions with the school’s principal before the transaction goes through and update the principal on all funding plans — including fundraisers.

The signature of both the PTO president and treasurer are required on all checks. PTO officers also “have been directed to discuss all financial reports at each” PTO meeting and PTO officers meeting, she said.

Information from Telegraph archives was used in this report.

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 12:37 PM with the headline "Former Bibb elementary PTO treasurer to report to jail, must pay restitution."