Former Wallingford PTO treasurer reportedly stole $15K from Scholastic Book Fair: Warrant

A former Wallingford PTO treasurer is under arrest after thousands of dollars meant for students is gone.

Erika Vitale was in charge of the money as the former co-treasurer for Highland Yalesville Elementary School’s PTO. That PTO funds two of the elementary schools in the district.

But $22,000 was missing from the account, according to Vitale’s arrest warrant. The discovery was made two months ago and led to larceny charges.

“I think it’s pretty wild that it’s even possible to have one person have access to all of the funds,” said parent Jeremy Sheren. “You’d think there’d be some sort of security in place, you know, so that one person doesn’t have control of all the money.”

Her arrest warrant shows that over half of the money, about $15,000, came from the Scholastic Book Fair. Other cash that never made it into the account was from things like Lyman Orchards pies, bingo, and other fundraisers like ice cream socials.

Vitale is also accused of taking cash out of the account without giving a reason, or providing a reason that didn’t make sense. One of those instances was withdrawing $200 in July for a Halloween event that was set for October, something that the PTO board never approved.

“All that money gets put to what? Field trips, which are important because they’re educational,” said parent Emily Johnson. “Supplies, field day — it’s meant for the kids. That’s the most important people in the world.”

Parents in town are hoping changes will be made to safeguard the money in the future.

NBC Connecticut has reached out to Vitale and members of the PTO for comment but has not heard back yet.

Vitale is expected in court in two weeks.

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