LEE CO., Va. (WJHL) — Residents in Lee County, Virginia, hoped for answers during a Board of Education meeting regarding embezzlement accusations against some Lee County Public School staff.

In June, bank statements revealed that over $200,000 was missing from the district’s accounts. The investigation is now being led by the Virginia State Police.

Board Chair Robert Hines said the board had no prior knowledge of the fraudulent checks.

“We have a policy that they’re supposed to be counterbalances to these things when you hand somebody cash or checks,” he said. “What we found out so far, to the best of my knowledge, is that the bank statements and reconciliations that were with each monthly bank statement were not looked at.”

However, former Lee High School baseball coach Randy Cox said timely balancing of the checkbook would have revealed the problem sooner.

“On the 10th of every month, these bank statements were supposed to be done,” he said. “Well, they weren’t done. They didn’t turn them in. If they had looked at the bank statements as of February going into March, they would have found that the money was stolen.”

Cox added that some school staff stay quiet out of fear of repercussions from the school board.

“If you could get the teachers in this county to talk, everyone of them is scared to death,” Cox said. “They’re scared to death. Now, why is that? Because they’re scared of repercussions. That’s why I’m standing here.”

This meeting did not address the missing money, but Hines said he’s trying to be as transparent as possible.

“I want to try to rectify that and let people know that we are going to take action,” he said. “We’re going to do the right thing, and we’re going to make this right.”

But former Lee County educator Sonny Brooks said that if the board were as transparent as they say they are, there would be no rumors regarding board and staff involvement.

“If you’re transparent with people, they will understand sort of what’s going on,” Brooks said. “But if you’re not transparent with them, rumours galore.”

The Virginia State Police said they cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.