A former secretary at a Houston Independent School District elementary school pleaded guilty this week to stealing about $35,000 in school activity funds and will pay the money back, as well as paying to repair damage from a small fire that she set to divert attention.
If Castorena-Narvaez fails to pay the money back, or violates any of the conditions of her probation, it can be revoked by a judge and she can be sent to prison. The third-degree felony of misapplication of fiduciary property is based on the dollar amount and carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
In October 2022, the principal of the elementary school became suspicious and called in Castorena-Narvaez to answer questions. That morning, before students arrived at campus for the day, Castorena-Narvaez started a small fire that caused minimal damage to the school.Houston ISD to hire non-certified teachers