Layton High finances under police investigation

LAYTON — Police are investigating "allegations of financial improprieties" at Layton High School, according to a statement released Wednesday by Police Chief Terry M. Keefe.

"Based upon information received from Davis School District employees, a criminal investigation has begun into the allegations," Keefe said.

Davis District officials have been doing an internal audit of Layton High, during which the school's principal, Paul C. Smith, was on paid administrative leave beginning Oct. 12.

The district audit is planned to be completed Friday. Layton Police expect to obtain the audit information, along with other documents, for its investigation.

Smith returned to Layton High Monday but officially announced to the staff Wednesday afternoon he would be retiring Jan. 31.

Smith told the Deseret News Wednesday he would have retired anyway at the end of the school year but declined to comment on why he was retiring early. "It's not easy to walk away," he said. "The school has been a big part of my life."

Layton High's head secretary, Leslie "Cookie" Barker, retired Oct. 12, but district officials won't say whether her retiring that day has anything to do with the school's finances, whether it is connected to the principal being placed on leave or whether her retirement had already been planned.

Smith told the Deseret News Wednesday he still "absolutely" stands by his original statement that he has done nothing wrong. He said he isn't worried about the police investigation.

Smith will spend the next few weeks helping prepare Layton High for his replacement. "It's a great school," he said. "The new principal will be extremely fortunate. It's a great community."

Davis District Superintendent Bryan Bowles said Smith's retirement is the principal's choice. The district has formed a committee to help select a new principal for Layton High to potentially begin Feb. 1.

Contributing: Emiley Morgan

e-mail: astewart@desnews.com

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