The former president of a parent-teacher association at a San Rafael school was arrested on allegations he stole approximately $7,000 from the organization.

Carlos Merino Valladares, 41, was released from the county jail on bond. The Marin County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and had filed no charges as of Friday.

Valladares led the PTA at Venetia Valley School. Armando Oseguera, the school principal, notified parents and staff about the case on Wednesday.

“We want to assure you that we are taking this very seriously,” Oseguera wrote.

The school reported the alleged theft on March 12 and said it occurred on Feb. 22, according to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office. Valladares is accused of entering an employee’s office and removing money from a safe without permission, sheriff’s Lt. Brennan Collins said. He said Valladares also is accused of writing a PTA check to himself.The missing funds had not been recovered as of Wednesday, he said.

The school asked that Valladares be prosecuted for grand theft, which state law defines as more than $950.

Valladares was the PTA president for the current school year but is no longer in the association, said Christina Perrino, spokesperson for San Rafael City Schools. The position is now vacant.

Valladares could not be reached for comment. He is a Larkspur resident, according to the sheriff’s office.

In his announcement about the theft, Oseguera said there will be a thorough review of all PTA financial procedures. There are also plans to add more safeguards to protect PTA funds and improve financial management.

“We understand that this news may be concerning,” Oseguera wrote. “We deeply appreciate the trust you place in us and in the PTA, and we are committed to doing everything we can to maintain that trust.”

Oseguera told the Independent Journal that PTA funding is used to provide supplemental classroom materials for teachers as well as support field trips, music and art programs, student promotion ceremonies, student club activities and extracurricular opportunities.

“The impact will be significant because our community worked hard to raise funds to support important programs, which provide enrichment opportunities for our students,” he said of the PTA’s financial loss. “Luckily, our PTA has done a wonderful job this year organizing parents to support its vision.”

According to PTA’s annual tax filing last May, the organization reported $68,514 in revenues for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. It reported $65,836 in expenses and net year-end assets of $165,829.

Venetia Valley School serves students from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade in the Santa Venetia neighborhood. The school has about 750 students.