Danny Haire

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A Bridges Charter School contracted employee is being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigations regarding alleged activity at his former job with YVEDDI, say state officials.

Noelle Talley, public information officer with the North Carolina Department of Justice confirmed that Yadkin County District Attorney Tom Horner turned the investigation of Danny Haire over to the State Burea of Investigations (SBI) in late 2012.

Talley confirmed the investigation is regarding allegations of embezzlement. The investigation is still open as of May 8.

The Haire disclosure erupted after a Monday night Surry County Board of Commissioners meeting when Commissioner Paul Johnson provided members with an update on committees he sits on.

Commissioner Johnson charged that YVEDDI, a non-profit corporation operating a variety of senior citizen, preschool and transportation programs, had been mismanaged and that the county should begin options to withdraw from YVEDDI.

YVEDDI responded to Johnson’s remarks disclosing that an investigation had been turned over to authorities pertaining to its former director, Danny Haire.

Merry A. Lowe, the new administrative director and principal for Bridges Charter spoke highly of Haire, its new associate director and assistant principal.

“We’re proud of the changes we’ve made here at Bridges,” said Lowe. “Danny is by far one of the best clinical psychologists seen at this school.

“Judgement should be reserved until more facts come out,” said Lowe.

Lowe indicated that Haire informed her that he was not aware of any SBI investigation prior to his employment.

“He said he became first aware of the investigation days ago,” she said.

Lowe also indicated that if there is information to suggest that Haire was informed or knowledgeable of a pending SBI or investigation prior to being hired at Bridges that such information is a game changer.

“We would be interested in that information,” she said.

Haire is under contract by Bridges Charter School and works three days per week. His contract expires July 1.

Recently, staff changes were announced at Bridges Charter School following the school’s charter revocation last summer. The school appealed and filed for a court hearing when the revocation was announced, and eventually was able to negotiate with the N.C. State Board of Education on terms that the school would make expected growth in the next three years and have staff trained in Individualized Education Programs (IEP).

Haire was not reached by deadline.

Reach Anthony Gonzalez at 336-835-1513 or email at agonzalez@civitasmedia.com

Reach Lindsey Craven at 336-679-2341 or at lcraven@civitasmedia.com