Suncoast Schools Saves the Senior Prom

TAMPA, Fla. – The senior prom will go on at Chamberlain High, thanks to Suncoast Schools FCU–even after the class advisor was charged with looting the funds saved for the annual coming-of-age pageant. Florida’s largest credit union pledged Friday to replace the $9,701 police say was embezzled through a Suncoast Schools account by class advisor Cheryl Foster-Lawrentz; funds that hundreds of seniors helped raise by washing cars, picking up trash and serving refreshments during the school’s sporting events. The 32-year-old teacher was suspended last week after she was charged with grand theft and fraud in the case. She allegedly deposited 21 checks made out to Chamberlain High School into her personal credit union account between November 2005 and December 2006. Most of the money is gone, according to police. School officials began investigating Foster-Lawrentz, who has taught special education for the past 10 years and also served as senior advisor, after a tip from a suspicious credit union official.