Hudson Valley News 12’s Ty Milburn got a hold of a meaty local story yesterday and staked out Sloatsburg Elementary School to get the goods.

Milburn reported on Ann Milliaressis, a school lunch worker at Sloatsburg Elementary School who skimmed thousands of dollars from Sloatsburg students’ lunch money by literally keeping the change. Milliaressis employed the old short-change-the-till trick by collecting lunch money from kids, including cash and checks, but entering in her computer logs less than she collected. Milliaressis, in charge of students’ meal accounts from August 2009 until May 2011, had been pocketing Sloatsburg student lunch money, possibly collecting some $16,000.

Milliaressis plead guilty on Wednesday, March 28, to one felony count of fourth degree grand larceny, admitting to stealing only $2000. As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, Milliaressis will pay back the $2000 in restitution to the school.

Milliaressis didn’t actually work for Sloatsburg Elementary, rather she was employed by Ramapo Central School District food contractor Whitsons Culinary Group (technically, its subsidiary, Whitsons School Nutrition Corp.), a family-run food company based in Islandia, NY. Whitsons employs 1500 people and reported $80 million in sales. The company is contracted by the school district to provide  lunchroom services and meals.

“Our school district’s food service is contracted out to Whitsons Culinary Group,” Ramapo School District Superintendent  Douglas Adams said in a statement about the incident. “When concerns about possible wrongdoing by this individual were brought to our attention, we immediately contacted the Ramapo Police Department and Whitsons. The school district provided assistance to the Rockland County District Attorney as requested. All of our children at the Sloatsburg Elementary School were properly fed and were not adversely impacted by this incident.”

Whitsons current contract charges approximately 18 cents administrative fee per breakfast and/or lunch, which costs students $2. Whitsons’ district contract expires at the end of June of this year.

Milburn reported that Ramapo Central Superintendent Douglas Adams was told by Whitsons that the company will increase oversight and accountability for all staff employeed in the Ramapo School District.

Milliaressis is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Charles Apotheker in Rockland County Courthouse in June.

Local residents’ reactions ranged from incredulous to resigned, with one suggesting that it’s just the way things are today — that “people out there get money any way they can.”

Cover Photo & Source: News 12 with additional sourcing from LoHud A.M. Report.