Saskatchewan Provincial Court, Lloydminster. File Photo
A former employee of the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) is facing a criminal charge arising from a reported $7,846 loss of public money from the school division.
In a news release on Jan. 26, local RCMP stated they have charged 39 year-old Lloydminster resident Kimberly Bennett with theft over $5,000 following an investigation.
Bennett was released with the next court date set for Feb. 5 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Lloydminster.
Police state they received a report from LPSD on Sept. 26, 2023 regarding “an imbalance of funds noted during a 2023 financial review” that led to Bennett being charged.
LPSD director of education, Jason Neville, explained the circumstances in a statement on Jan. 26.
“Earlier this year, it was discovered that a deposit was missing. The employee has been terminated and the case was referred to the RCMP, where charges have been laid,” said Neville.
“As this issue is currently before the courts, LPSD will have no further comments on this matter.”
A Ministry of Education news release, also dated Jan. 26, stated: “The Board of Education of Lloydminster School Division No. 99 has reported a loss of public money in the amount of $7,846 for the first quarter of the 2023-24 school division fiscal year (Sept 1, 2023, to Nov 30, 2023).”
The Ministry of Education has tabled its report to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PAC). The PAC reviews and reports to the Assembly its observations, opinions and recommendations on the reports of the provincial auditor and the public accounts.
