Howard PTA Council President Mary Jane Barbato-Grauso said the recent $20,000 loss from the Lisbon Elementary School PTA is “a lot of money for any school.”

“Any amount to lose is taking away from the kids,” said Barbato-Grauso, adding that PTA budgets vary throughout the county.

Howard police are investigating a Lisbon Elementary School PTA member who is suspected of embezzling the association’s funds.

The department would not release the suspect’s name unless she is charged, police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Reidy said.

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The missing money was brought to the attention of the Howard County PTA Council about two weeks ago when Lisbon PTA President Cindy Johnson contacted the council and asked how to go about filing an insurance claim for the missing money, Barbato-Grauso said.

It was the first such inquiry her office has received, she said.

Lisbon PTA members declined to comment further.

The police began their investigation in April when a PTA member reported to police that one of her colleagues had forged her signature on several checks, Reidy said.

Embezzling incidents in region

» Former Shiloh Middle School secretary Linda Sprinkle was sentenced in February for stealing more than $13,000 from the school’s coffers.

» Former South Carroll High School financial secretary Wendy Sue Bowers was sentenced in January for embezzling $206,564 raised through athletic events and fundraisers.

» Former Folly Quarter Middle School secretary Ethel Collette Kirk was sentenced in January for embezzling more than $10,000 from the school’s activity fund for more than two years.

jpalazzolo@baltimoreexaminer.com