03/28/2026
Dear LPELL Friends:
Esther Gill and JP Tucker were made aware that the new school administration (operating under the umbrella of Lake Placid E-Learning Lab & Academy, Inc) is sharing that Miss Gill and/or Ms. Tucker left because of embezzlement! THIS IS TOTALLY FALSE AND DEFAMATORY!
1. For six years these devoted teachers operated LPELL. During that time, Miss Gill VOLUNTEERED and was NEVER paid and Ms. Tucker took 1/2 pay only in the 2024-2025 school year- investing, what they believed in: creating a solid educational environment for all students.
2. LPELL had our accountant go over ALL our FINANCIALS FROM 2019 TO THE PRESENT and there were no accusations of fraud or embezzlement, (otherwise there would have been jail time). THIS DID NOT OCCUR.
3. The contract that was signed on July 24th, 2025 has stipulations which included the new owners accessing 3 bank cards, the P.O. Box, and a private loan they have reneged on.
4. They are also claiming the contract is null and void because Ms. Tucker started Classroom Coach Tutoring Services. The contract CLEARLY states Miss Gill and Ms. Tucker could tutor but not teach within 50 miles of Lake Placid.
5. It is also understood that the gossip mill has been circulating newspaper articles from 2010 stating that Ms. Tucker was ACCUSED of embezzlement and animal cruelty. These claims were completely debunked as "fake news," aimed to sell papers.
Finally, the reason Miss Gill and Ms. Tucker transferred the school to a new administration WITHOUT ANY FINANCIAL BENEFIT was due to health issues of Ms. Tucker. Miss Gill did not want to take over the Administrator's position so it was agreed, FOR THE CONTINUOUS EDUCATION OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR DEVOTED STAFF, they would hand it over to "younger hands," and would include the 14 staff members.
Miss Gill has continued to teach at South Florida State College and is retiring, REALLY RETIRING, on May 15th, 2026. 55 years devoted to our Lake Placid community and she can't be any prouder of the thousands of students she has influenced over the years!!
Ms. Tucker is under doctor's care and we are praying for a full recovery soon.
THANK YOU, LOYAL FRIENDS, FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
