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Report: Nassau County principal admits to stealing $1,300 from school

A month after the resignation of Fernandina Beach High School Principal Dr. Spencer Lodree, new details are emerging about the circumstances.

According to a statement from the Nassau County School District, Lodree is accused of stealing funds from the sale of tickets to a Fernandina Beach High School basketball game earlier this year.

According to the district, two Fernandina Beach High School employees began to suspect that funds were missing on Jan. 29 and alerted the school resource officer, which prompted a full investigation by the Fernandina Beach Police Department.

According to a police report, surveillance video showed someone using a flashlight to get into the room where the money was kept at the high school.

The clothes worn in the video matched Lodree's outfit, according to the report.

According to the district, Lodree was interviewed Feb. 5. He admitted to taking the funds and subsequently submitted his resignation, the district said.

He told police that he was experiencing financial hardship, according to a report.

Nassau County Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns said in a statement that she was 'shocked' and 'deeply saddened' to learn about the events that led to Lodree's resignation. The statement also said that there were no red flags in Lodree's background and no warning signs in his behavior.

The district said the stolen money was recovered through a deduction to Lodree's final paycheck.

The district said the theft has been reported to the Florida Department of Education's Office of Professional Practices but it's not clear if Lodree will face any criminal charges.