Two former members of staff at Wick High have been investigated amid complaints about “financial irregularities” of school funds.
The man and woman have been reported to the procurator fiscal following a long inquiry, relating to thousands of pounds – some in direct public donations and some from Highland Council’s local ward discretionary fund, which had been designated for school equipment.
Police were called in following a complaint that money had gone missing or was unaccounted for.
Officers have investigated the allegation over the past year.
Nick Clasper, the area police inspector for Sutherland, said: “Following extensive inquiries into a report of financial irregularities at Wick High School, we can confirm that a 57-year-old male and 58-year-old female have been reported to the procurator fiscal at Wick.”
A spokeswoman for Highland Council said: “This is an ongoing police investigation and, therefore, it is not appropriate for us to comment.”
The school’s parent council has, so far, been unsuccessful in its attempts to establish what equipment was bought with public donations amounting to several thousand pounds.
The school had already been dealing with the financial headache of a deficit that, at one stage, had exceeded £200,000.
Professor Iain Baikie, parent council chairman, confirmed the police inquiry was triggered by public concern about a payment the group had made to the school and the use of a separate donation from a private company.
The parent council is keen to establish that all the donations are fully accounted for.
He said it was important that public confidence was restored by pursuing answers in court.
Local SNP councillor Gail Ross said: “We’re totally behind the current school management and rector Fiona Grant, who has done a great job since taking over in difficult circumstances.
“Hopefully, we’ll have closure on this matter soon. With the replacement high school scheduled for completion in October, we want to look forward to a new era and something positive.”
A spokesman for the Crown Office confirmed yesterday the police report was being considered by the fiscal.