New Canaan Public Schools Responds To Cafeteria Theft Arrests

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan Schools Superintendent Dr. Bryan Luizzi issued the following letter to the community Monday following news of the arrests of two former cafeteria employees who are accused of stealing more than $478,000 from the district:

Dear New Canaan Community,

This morning, the New Canaan Public Schools learned of the arrest of two former food service employees for financial crimes committed against the school district; specifically, Larceny 1st degree – Defrauding a Public Community (Connecticut General Statutes 53a-122(a)(4)). We are deeply upset by this alleged violation of our trust and the trust of the entire community, and are committed to continuing our full cooperation with the New Canaan Police Department regarding these allegations.

For the past few years, the school district has been working with its external auditors to develop and implement enhanced financial procedures and controls in various departments. As these enhanced procedures were implemented in the food services department, the district identified irregularities related to the handling of cash at the Saxe Middle School Cafeteria and the New Canaan High School Cafeteria. These irregularities were promptly reviewed and reported to the New Canaan Police Department.

The New Canaan Police Department immediately began an investigation, and the school district has fully cooperated throughout the process. The alleged crimes involve a specific fund, the cafeteria fund, which is separate and apart from the district’s operating budget.

While the ongoing nature of the process requires prudence in communication, I feel it is important to provide what information I can about this matter and will continue to update the community as appropriate. In the meantime, please know that we will continue to work with the Town of New Canaan, New Canaan Police Department and external auditors as vigilant stewards of the community’s resources, and that we are wholeheartedly committed to doing the right things in the right ways on behalf of the students, staff, and the entire New Canaan community.

Respectfully,

Bryan D. Luizzi, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools
New Canaan Public Schools