A former director of food service for the Piqua City Schools pleaded not guilty Thursday, June 4, to felony theft of money from the department’s vending machine account.
Terri Meyer, 52, of Piqua was arraigned in Miami County Common Pleas Court on a grand jury indictment charging her with theft beyond the scope of intent. Meyer resigned from her position March 19. She had worked for the district since November 1998 and as food service director since December 2007.
Meyer was released on a recognizance bond. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for June 15.
The charge alleges the theft of more than $7,500 between Jan. 1, 2010 and April 16. The amount missing was $41,267, district Superintendent Rick Hanes said earlier this year.
Hanes said a “mishandling” of vending machine funds was found through food service staff following checks and balances protocol. Hanes said the district would receive full restitution through the district’s bonding and insurance. District parents were notified of the missing money and Meyer’s resignation in an email from Hanes. The information was made public following a district internal investigation and at the time Piqua police were initiating their investigation.
