A former Kingsville school principal who admitted to having misused and mismanaged more than $50,000 in school and board money has been hired by Fanshawe College as an early childhood education professor.

Wendy Lynn Andrusak has confirmed her employment to the Windsor Star in August.

The Ontario College of Teachers revealed in 2012 that Andrusak, whose name was then Wendy Lynn Liebing, used school and board funds to buy personal items, including groceries, rugs and hair dye. She also admitted to using the money to buy a Burberry laptop bag – a high-end British designer whose bags sell upward to $30,000.

A Fanshawe official who asked not to be named told the London Free Press she was surprised and disappointed in the college.

Andrusak admitted to buying more than $6,000 in gifts and certificates for volunteers and staff that were never given to the attended recipients, reported the Free Press. She also pocketed more than $5,000 selling books she owned to the school, which is against its policy.

The Fanshawe official told the Free Press she was puzzled by the decision to hire Andrusak as there were “several qualified candidates” for the post.

Elaine Gamble, a Fanshawe spokesperson, said the school had no comments.