HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) -- A former high school teacher in southwest Ohio has been charged with stealing money meant for a school prom in a cash-strapped district.

The district says a teacher on the Lakota East High School prom committee apparently urged students to pay her directly, instead of following the ticket sale process. The Butler County sheriff's office says the 45-year-old woman has been charged with misdemeanor theft.

The office received a report that the woman sold tickets for the April prom but failed to turn in the money. Some students complained about having trouble getting admission to the April dance.

The JournalNews in nearby Hamilton ( http://bit.ly/JXD61Y ) reports the woman quit her job as authorities investigated.

The district says $800 was missing, and a relative has paid $160 of that.

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Information from: The JournalNews of Hamilton, http://www.journal-news.com/cgi-bin/liveique.acgi$schjnfront?jnfront