Outer Banks middle school PTO treasurer charged with embezzlement

Kari Pugh, The Virginian-Pilot
Updated ·1 min read

The treasurer for the parent-teacher organization at an Outer Banks’ middle school was charged with embezzling money from the group.

Margaret Bryson, 47, of Colington, was arrested March 15, about a week after the PTO executive committee for First Flight Middle School discovered money missing from an account, said Dare County sheriff’s Lt. Doug Oberbeck. The total was roughly $5,000, he said.

According to court records, Bryson was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond the same day.

In a statement, the PTO executive committee said members recently called an emergency meeting after discovering “several suspicious financial transactions within our organization.”

Committee members “immediately filed a complaint with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office in order to protect the integrity of the PTO,” the statement said.

“We remain committed to the objectives of the FFMS PTO which are: to promote the education and well-being of FFMS students at home, in school and in the community; maintain active communications between parents, faculty, administrators and students; and promote policies and academic programs for the care and development of students. We thank the students, parents, teachers, staff and local community for their support,” the statement said.

Bryson also worked as a dance instructor at Atlantic Dance in Kill Devil Hills. In a letter home to parents and guardians, owner Mila Smith wrote that as of March 20, Bryson was no longer an instructor and Smith would be taking over her classes.