A school principal and another staff member, who are married to each other and were placed on mysterious leave earlier this year, have been arrested and charged, teachers have been told.
In April, Karoonda Area School principal Melanie Bennett and her husband Kyle Bennett – who has been listed in multiple roles at the school – were placed on “personal leave”.
It came shortly after SA Police confirmed officers attended at the school – in the state’s Mallee region – in the holidays before Term 2 started as part of what they said was an ongoing investigation.
In a new development, The Advertiser understands staff were briefed on Friday, August 7, that the duo had since been arrested.
A day earlier, on Thursday, police announced they had arrested a man and woman from the Murray Mallee, following an investigation into an alleged fraud.
The man and woman, both aged 42, were charged with dishonesty offences and abuse of public office.
They were bailed to appear in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court in December.
The Education Department did not respond to questions on whether the pair remained employed by the school or if the duo were still on personal leave.
“For privacy reasons, the department has no comment to make about this matter,” a spokesperson said.
SA Police also were unable to comment due to privacy reasons.
The charges are unknown and it is understood the issue was not a child safety matter.
In April, Karoonda residents told The Advertiser they were “surprised and confused” to see police at the school, while others said they saw police searching a home on the same day.
Residents told The Advertiser they saw police for up to four hours at a home.
At the time, an SA Police spokesperson confirmed officers had attended at the school as part of an ongoing investigation.
“Police have conducted a number of searches within the township,” the spokesperson said.
Ms Bennett was appointed Karoonda principal for this year having served as deputy principal in 2024 and acting principal last year.
Earlier this year, she told The Advertiser her standout career moment was stepping into the acting principal role at Karoonda at short notice.
“(Being principal was) something that I never planned to do, but an opportunity that I absolutely loved and am really excited to be able to continue in the role,” she said in a profile.
In 2025, Mr Bennett was in a grounds and maintenance role.
Mrs and Mr Bennett have been contacted for comment.
The Karoonda Area school had 145 enrolments in 2025 with classes for students from reception to Year 12.
The school had 18 teaching staff and 12 non-teaching staff members in 2025.