Women abuse school funds

Look for the full story in tomorrow's paper.

Teachers used union funds for personal trips, meals and more
By Molly R. Okeon and Caroline An, Staff Writers
Article Launched: 02/20/2008 05:14:54 PM PST

ALHAMBRA - The two women who used San Gabriel school teachers' union funds for personal trips, meals and shopping were thick as thieves, officials say.

Former Jefferson Middle School special education teachers Ava Shaw, 52, of Pasadena, and Jennifer Kathryn Boyd-Oliver, 36, of Duarte, pleaded no contest Friday to charges in the case. Both have been ordered to pay restitution.

Shaw was president and treasurer of the San Gabriel Teacher's Association and Boyd was secretary.

"Shaw vacationed a lot with Jennifer Boyd," said Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Donna Hollingsworth, who added that Shaw "footed the bill" for trips the two took to St. Thomas, Lake Tahoe and New York.

"They were at the same place together pretty much at all times," Hollingsworth said.

molly.okeon@sgvn.com

(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4496

caroline.an@sgvn.com

UPDATE: Some have suggested off the record that these women were a couple, but the District Attorney's office would not confirm this, and no one else has gone on the record confirming they were lovers.