TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

State Won't File Theft Charge Against Ex-Webb Principal

ADVERTISEMENT

By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 29, 2008

TAMPA - The state will not pursue action against a former Webb Middle School principal accused of stealing small amounts of money.

Carmen Aguero retired in September, a year before she planned, after allegations surfaced of money missing from the school office. She said from the start that claims she took the money were false, and she was pleased with the outcome of investigations.

She said Monday she hoped it would allow her to clear her name.

"My certificate as an educator has not been tarnished in any way," said Aguero, who worked for the Hillsborough County school district for 34 years.

The district had referred the case to the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office and the Florida Department of Education. The state attorney's office said it was not filing charges.

Marian W. Lambeth, chief of the education department's Bureau of Professional Practices Services, sent Aguero a letter Dec. 4 saying the department reviewed the information and determined "further action by this office is not warranted."

Accusation Surprised Her

Principal at Webb for six years, Aguero was caught off guard when Linda Kipley, the district's general manager for professional standards, brought the allegations to her attention.

The district had received letters accusing Aguero of taking money from Webb's main office, and Kipley met with three school employees in early September.

The district's investigation focused on a shortfall in collections for the United Negro College Fund. The school had collected $247 in cash in February for the fund, according to the report, but district records showed Webb had donated $118 - only $25 in cash, plus an $18 check and a personal check from Aguero worth $75.

Aguero said she had no reason to steal. She had overseen similar fundraisers at Webb in the past with no shortfall in donations, and she was responsible for thousands of dollars when she was athletic director at Wharton High School.

She did not know why someone would file complaints against her, but said someone might have wanted her job or resented her leadership.

Family Urged Her To Retire

She talked to family members, who urged her to retire because of her health. Aguero has insulin-dependent diabetes, and stress is not good for her. Since leaving the district, she has lost weight, her blood pressure has dropped and she is happier, she said.

She was overwhelmed with support she received from friends, family and colleagues, including 135 people who attended her retirement party.

June Wojteczko, Aguero's math teacher from Tampa Catholic and lifelong friend, said she wanted to put her arm around Aguero when she learned the news. She never doubted Aguero's truthfulness.

"I know her well enough," Wojteczko said. "If Carmen did something wrong, she admitted it. I believe her 100 percent."

Aguero said she holds no hard feelings against the school district. The district did not ask her to resign, and she said she will return to work in the system again if she misses it.

For now, she is enjoying retirement - a cruise, movies during the day and upcoming spring training games. She has an attorney but plans no legal action.

"I know. God knows," she said. "That's all that matters."

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or

cpastor@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT