GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Police are investigating whether an elementary school teacher stole at least $15,000 from a parent-teacher organization she heads.
Police said Gretchen Blackford went to sheriff’s deputies last weekend and told them she had taken thousands of dollars from the Thunder Mountain Elementary Parent Teacher Council’s bank account.
The case was turned over to police because the bank is inside the city.
Police Officer Brian Gregor said the investigation could take up to two months. He said police would not decide on any arrests until the investigation is complete.
Blackford’s phone was unlisted and it was not immediately known if she had an attorney.
Although Blackford is president of the Thunder Mountain group, she teaches at Rocky Mountain Elementary. School district spokesman Jeff Kirtland said she was on personal leave this week.
The parent-teacher council and its funds are separate from the district.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
