The Teachers Are Blowing Their Whistles!

This is a very sad story.

There must be something more to the story than is in the public domain.

Why would a school principal - or any teacher - throw away their career for less than $1000?

Mr K had worked for Education Queensland for 25 years, mostly in Far North Queensland.

By 2015 he was principal of Parramatta State School.

Mr K, 48, was highly regarded at this "low socio-economic" school.

His supervisor noted that he was a competent school principal.

But in early 2015 Mr K was charged with dishonest use of a Department of education credit card.

He was asked not to attend the school or make contact with any staff.

And on Tuesday 24 November 2015, Mr K admitted to spending just under $1000 of Parramatta State School money for personal reasons.

Some of the money was spent on paying for flights for his family.

He still owes $465.

He was ordered to pay full restitution and he said he intended to pay this money back immediately.

He was fined $2000.

Police prosecutor Troy Sutton explained that the credit card used by Mr K was meant to be used only for expenses of the school.

"It is an offence of dishonesty," Police prosecutor Sutton said.

"Future employers, in my submission, should be aware of that by virtue of a conviction being recorded."

However, Magistrate Richard Lehmann chose not to record a conviction.

He noted Mr K's otherwise clean criminal record and the evidence of remorse outlined in colleagues' references.

Defence barrister Joshua Trevino said Mr K would likely lose his job and possibly his career with the department.

The Department of Education has declined to comment, saying Mr K still had the option of appealing the court's decision.

Cairns primary school principal pleads guilty to credit card fraud, Harry Clarke, The Cairns Post, 24 November 2015

The information on this page is already in the public domain.

The editor has no private information on this situation. 

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