Former teacher pleads guilty of theft, will repay $33,576

By LOU ANTONELLI
Managing Editor
A former teacher in the Avery ISD, Brooke Nicole Jackson, 38, pled guilty on Tuesday to a second degree felony charge of Theft by a Public Servant.
The plea bargain follows an investigation by the Avery ISD in August of the illegal appropriation and/or expenditures of student activity funds. Jackson was suspended at that time.
The plea bargain was entered by District Attorney Val Varley with Sixth District Court Judge Wesley Tidwell at the county courthouse Tuesday. Attorney Dan Meehan was the public defender for Jackson in her court appearance.
The second degree felony carries a ten year sentence, which will be suspended for five years of supervised probation. Jackson is ordered to make restitution of $33,576 to the Avery ISD, and also do 200 hours of community service.
She was also ordered to pay $355 in court costs and a $50 Crimestoppers fee.
 Jackson was required to serve ten days in a state jail, and was given credit for time already spent in jail. Red River County Jail records indicate Jackson was booked in Oct. 1.
At the time of the original investigation in August, Avery ISD Debbie Drew said “Avery ISD expects each individual educator and employee to conduct oneself with integrity and to be a model of excellence for students.”
She continued the district wants to assure taxpayers “we are being good trustees of their money.”