Ronald Knox Montessori School

Like many schools, Robert Knox Montessori is involved in fund-raising. In addition to monetary donations, they have parents ask for items that can be auctioned off to raise money for the school.
For several years, we have donated gift certificates to this cause, with the clear expectation and understanding that the items would be sold at auction, and the proceeds used for students' education.
Last year, and again this year, we were informed that the gift certificates were "lost" and did not reach the auction, and we were asked to send them again, which we did. Last year we sent a second, which was lost, and then provided a third a different way, which finally made it to the auction. This year, the same happened. The first certificate reportedly "never arrived," the second was "lost," and we were asked for a third.

Frustrated and suspecting a delivery issue at the source, this year we traced the certificates, and learned that the first certificate had been redeemed in person by a member of the school staff. This, even after a second was sent and while a third "replacement" was being requested.

At this point we do not know if there is a culture of theft and fraud across the entire organization, or if it is limited to certain individuals. They are stealing from families and supporting donors, and they are stealing from the children in their care, since they are deprived of the benefits the proceeds would have yielded.

Beyond the criminal aspect of this, it is outrageous to think that these are people to whom parents trust their children for guidance and education.