A veteran high school principal and decorated former national softball coach has been accused of stealing nearly $90,000 from a fund for student activities at a Toronto school he used to lead.
Terry Baytor, who was principal of Martingrove Collegiate Institute from 2002 until he retired from the Toronto District School Board in December 2009, was charged Monday with fraud and theft, relating to a bank account that held money from fundraisers and student fees.
Police allege that, starting in 2005, he kept some of the money that was supposed to be deposited in the fund, ultimately taking $72,500, and also paid himself $16,000 from the bank account itself.
After he retired, school officials suspected a discrepancy in the numbers and contacted police.
Early this year, Mr. Baytor took a job as principal of Everest Academy, a recently-opened Vaughan private school that specializes in training athletes along with academic instruction.
"We are all in shock -- Terry has put together an excellent staff for us," said Everest President Farell Duclair. "He came to us highly recommended from a number of people."
Mr. Duclair said no immediate decision had been made about whether his principal would take a leave from the school or continue working while his case moves through the courts.
Mr. Baylor has enjoyed a long career in both education and sports. According to Everest, he spent 34 years as an educator, 18 of them as a principal, before leaving the TDSB.
He also coached the men's national softball team to three gold medals at the Pan American Games and the top spot in the 1992 world championship. He was ultimately inducted into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame.
At Martingrove, he was credited with promoting specialty courses, as well as the school's sports teams and drama performances.
"He was very much a student's principal, very highly-regarded by both students and staff," said John Campbell, the area's trustee. "He was always there in the hallways, he would always attend events and he was very visible. He worked hard."
In 2009, his salary was over $121,000, according to government disclosures of public sector salaries.
Mr. Baytor, 58, did not respond to requests for comment Monday. He is set to appear in court Dec. 22.