A local school bus driver has pleaded innocent to charges that she stole more than $8,700 from her union’s bank account.

Lincy Estelle Merritt, 45, entered the plea Monday at the Tracy courthouse. She was released on her own recognizance and appears in court again July 17.

Merritt is accused of stealing $8,744.16 from the Tracy chapter of the California School Employees Association while she was treasurer of the 500-member union. Tracy police looked into the alleged embezzlement last year and by August had a formal investigation under way. The San Joaquin District Attorney’s office charged her with one count of embezzlement May 23.

Diane Cheeseman, president of Chapter 98 of the CSEA, said the union has already investigated the matter, removed Merritt from her office and suspended her from the union for at least five years.

Cheeseman said the union learned last year that Merritt had used the debit card on a union bank account for purchases and cash withdrawals. The union charged Merritt with misconduct, held a hearing in December and confirmed the charge, and has demanded that she pay back the money.

“She has made absolutely no attempt whatsoever to compensate the union,” Cheeseman said. “As far as the union is concerned, she has been found guilty.”

Merritt would not comment on the matter.

James Mousalimas, assistant superintendent for human resources for Tracy Unified School District, confirmed that the district hired Merritt in 1990 and that she still works for the district. He would not comment on whether the criminal charges would affect her employment.

Cheeseman said the loss of the money affects the activities of the union, which represents bus drivers, custodians, groundskeepers, classroom aides, playground supervisors and other non-teaching school employees. She said the bank account is supported by $2 per-member monthly dues and pays for monthly newsletters, trips to union conferences and two annual scholarships.

“To take away thousands of dollars from us is financially and emotionally devastating,” she said.