Vancouver School Board files $170,000 civil claim against former East Vancouver principal

The Vancouver School Board has launched a civil claim against a former principal of an East Vancouver elementary school, alleging she stole $170,000 from the school community.

A notice of civil claim filed in the BC Supreme Court claims Tricia Low, then known as Tricia Rooney, of misappropriating gift cards given to the school, and writing and cashing cheques for herself.

The school board also accuses Low of booking and cancelling school events, then arranging for refunds to be made to her personally. The school board says Low kept the funds for her own personal benefit.

“The school receives two sources of operating funds: the plaintiff and fundraising. The latter source includes, but is not limited to, school-based fundraising events, the collection of various fees, and the receipt of third-party donations,” the claim said.

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It adds Low served as principal from 2005 until April 2020 at Britannia Community Elementary School on Cotton Drive near Commercial Drive.

“In her capacity as principal, the defendant owed the plaintiff and the school a fiduciary duty and a duty of loyalty to act honestly and faithfully, and to safeguard the resources and school funds for which she was responsible,” the claim said.

It adds Low was given a purchasing card to “assist with the duties,” with the understanding that the card was to be used for approved purchases only.

But the group claims she used the card for personal purchases and attempted to “pay personal creditors” with it.

A formal investigation into the situation was launched in January 2020, after the group says it noticed an “abnormal deficit” within a routine budget report.

As a result, the school board is seeking full reimbursement of the money, as well as special damages.

“All schools in the District have a responsibility to ensure funds are appropriately allocated to better student learning outcomes. The District is aware that the BC School Protection Program has filed a Notice of Civil Claim on behalf of the District. The District takes these allegations very seriously. As it is currently before the courts, we cannot provide further details about the case,” a statement from the school board explained.

The Vancouver Police Department told CityNews it is not aware of any investigation into this case at this time.