BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo teacher was sentenced for stealing money from her school’s parent teacher organization. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office says 44-year-old Patti Nabinger stole $3,530.82 from the bank account of the PTO she volunteered for.

Nabinger was facing up to 1 year in jail after pleading guilty to attempted grand larceny in excess of $1,000. On Friday, she was sentenced in Buffalo City Court. Nabinger received a conditional discharge, provided she completes 250 hours of community service, which she has 6 months to complete.

Nabinger, taught technology at Buffalo Public School 43, and was the volunteer treasurer for the PTO.

The embezzlement came to light in August 2015, when another member of the PTO looked at bank records. Since then, Erie County District Attorney Michael Flaherty says Nabinger has paid back all of the money that she stole.

Before sentencing, Judge Joseph Fiorella spoke to Nabinger about the position of trust that she violated among members of her PTO.

Judge Fiorella said, “They thought you were a role model, and they thought you led them in a very good way for many years. It’s really a shame that this occurred. But, there has to be some sort of consequence, so I am going to sentence you to 250 hours of community service.”

Nabinger is still on administrative leave from the school. The New York State Department of Education is conducting their own investigation.