STANLY COUNTY, N.C. -- The principal of North Stanly High School and her assistant are at the center of a sheriff's office investigation.

Principal Joyce Steele, 69, is accused of stealing and misappropriating thousands of dollars of the school's money. Her assistant, Yvette Misenheimer, is also charged.

Chrissy Duke, the parent of a North Stanly High student, said she’s disappointed by the example the two set.

"We try to instill in our children values of not taking money. Hopefully they'll reap the consequences," she said.

Detectives said an external audit showed money was missing from the school and that led to the investigation and charges. They won't talk about what specifically happened. They just said that money was stolen and mishandled.

Stanly County Sheriff Rick Burris said there's a bigger problem with the school system. He said too many people have access to the school's money and no one's accountable.

"These things happen when you've got that much money lying around. It's a temptation for a lot of folks, and I think that's the problem,” he said.

Burris said charges may be coming against others in the school.

Still, Stanly County Schools Superintendent Samuel Depaul said he has checks and balances in place, as well as regulations protecting the school's money.

"When people don't follow them, you obviously can end up with a situation like you have right now," he said.

Eyewitness News learned at least one other Stanly County school is also at the center of an investigation for crimes involving school money.

Meanwhile, Steele is suspended without pay. Her secretary has been fired from the school system.

Steele is charged with embezzlement, larceny by an employee and obtaining property by false pretense. She posted bond Thursday and is out of jail. Misenheimer is charged with larceny and obtaining property by false pretense. She also posted bond and is out of jail.