A former bookkeeper at a Darien school district pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing about $100,000 from the district.

Renee Spuhler, 48, of Montgomery allegedly stole the money from Cass School District 63 over a four-year period by writing herself payroll checks in addition to her regular paychecks, which were automatically deposited into her bank account, authorities said.

She also wrote herself checks made out to “cash,” they said.

Spuhler entered the plea in front of DuPage Circuit Judge Robert Anderson without a sentencing deal with prosecutors.

Officials at the two-school district discovered the missing funds in 2005 and fired Spuhler. When she was fired Nov. 9, 2005, about $37,000 was believed to be missing, but an independent audit showed more money was not accounted for, according to the district.

Spuhler is scheduled to return to court Friday, Aug. 1, when a presentencing report will be turned over to the court. When she is sentenced later this year, she will face up to 15 years in prison.

The court also is expected to order that she pay restitution to the School District.

District officials said they would release an official statement on Spuhler’s plea after receiving more information about the hearing, but no statement was available at press time.