High school principal arrested in theft case
Originally published 10:47 a.m., March 13, 2008
Updated 06:27 p.m., March 13, 2008
Eskridge — The principal of Mission Valley High School was arrested at school and booked into jail Monday, after she was caught stealing, Wabaunsee County Sheriff Doug Howser said.
Kimberlee Andersen, who has been at the school for a year and a half, was recorded on videotape stealing from a teacher’s office, said Howser.
Kimberlee Andersen
"The videotape basically identified her as a suspect in stealing," he said.
Howser said the school did the investigative work and called the sheriff’s office about the video, which led to Andersen’s arrest. Howser said he didn’t know what Andersen was accused of stealing or when the theft occurred.
“She is one of the better principals we've had out here, until now,” said Bill Schaffer, a parent. "There's a lot of parents around me that are kind of disappointed in it."
Andersen was released from jail the same day she was booked in, after posting a $500 bond. She’s charged with one count of misdemeanor theft and expected in court around April 1, Howser said.
The school board has announced its intent to terminate Andersen's contract, but she has 15 days to request a hearing, Superintendent Jim Markos said.
“It's a ... travesty for all that are involved and it's a concern," said Markos. "We'll treat it that way."
There have been several incidents of money being stolen from the school for more than a year, Markos said.
Andersen was principal at a middle school in Newton, where she worked for two years, before coming to Mission Valley.
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