JEFFERSON TWP — A former longtime South Butler County School District secretary is accused of stealing more than $13,000 from the student activities account last year.

Paula Ann Vaughan, 59, of Clinton Township admitted taking the money, state police said, between June 6 and Dec. 31, 2016, when she worked as secretary for the district's athletic director.

District Judge Sue Haggerty on Friday arraigned Vaughan on felony charges of theft and receiving stolen properly. She is free on $20,000 unsecured bail.

Then-Superintendent David Zupsic and Paul Slomer Jr., director of business affairs, on March 3 reported the suspected theft to police.

The officials told police that while investigating discrepancies in the student activities account, according to court documents, Vaughan admitted taking money.

“She was required to collect money, currency and checks, from various fundraisers, dances and clubs,” Trooper Michael Pickard said Monday, “and take it to the business office for deposit.”

But while she deposited the checks, she alleged pocketed the cash.

Frank Prazenica, acting superintendent, declined to comment about the allegations, citing the ongoing criminal investigation Instead, the district issued a prepared statement about its investigation.

“Throughout this process, the District has worked closely with the State Police, its insurance carrier and its auditor, Maher Duessel, to assure that all misappropriated funds are recovered by the District and that the employee-in-question is held to account for their conduct,” the statement said.

Vaughan's attorney was out of his law office Monday and unavailable for comment.

A preliminary hearing in the case is set for Dec. 13 in Saxonburg.