KEY WEST -- Former Monroe County Schools Superintendent Randy Acevedo, convicted last month of covering up his wife's alleged theft of school-district funds, is not going to jail.

He was sentenced Thursday to three years of probation, 288 hours of community service and the maximum $15,000 fine for three felony counts of official misconduct. Prosecutors had asked for two years in prison, though he could have been sentenced to up to 15 years.

``I'm just happy for my family right now,'' said Acevedo, his eyes red and tear-filled after an emotional 3 ½-hour sentencing hearing.

His wife, Monique Acevedo, who was not in attendance, is scheduled for trial Oct. 26 on one count of fraud and three counts of grand theft. Prosecutors say she stole nearly $200,000 in public funds while she was the school district's adult-education coordinator.

State Attorney Dennis Ward, who watched Thursday's proceedings from the back of the packed courtroom, said he did not think Randy Acevedo's sentence matched the crime. ``He put his family ahead of the children of Monroe County, the employees of the school district and the taxpayers of Monroe County,'' Ward said, adding that jail time was appropriate as ``punishment and a deterrent.''

`A PUBLIC SPECTACLE'

Assistant State Attorney Mark Wilson had requested that Acevedo serve two years in state prison. Circuit Court Judge Mark H. Jones said Acevedo's crimes -- committed while he was an elected official -- deserved a ``harsh sentence.''

``But a harsh sentence can take many forms,'' Jones told Acevedo. ``Part of your sentence you have already suffered because you have had a terrible fall from grace. Frankly, your family has become somewhat of a public spectacle.''

Acevedo, who had been elected to a second, four-year term last year, was suspended from office after his indictment and Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Joseph Burke as interim superintendent.

Last month, a six-person jury convicted Acevedo on three counts of official misconduct. The charges stemmed from actions that took place in February, after then-school district finance director Kathy Reitzel told Acevedo about questionable purchases by his wife.

Acevedo provided a letter on the letterhead of a non-profit agency justifying his wife's expenditure on a district-issued credit card for a satellite-radio subscription that the agency -- Monroe Association of ReMARCable Citizens -- never wanted nor received.

He also called Reitzel to his office to ask that she not disclose his wife's suspected theft. And he signed a document sent to the state Auditor General's Office stating he had no knowledge of any allegations of fraud or suspected fraud regarding the district, which covers the Florida Keys.

Judge Jones said he considered the scope of Acevedo's actions: ``I would not call it much of a cover-up. It's not sophisticated, well thought out, or a diabolical plan carried out over a long period of time.''

SUPPORT INFLUENCED JUDGE

He noted that he couldn't consider the question of whether Acevedo knew his wife was using school funds to buy items Acevedo used, including men's size 12 shoes, airline tickets and a bed delivered to his home.

But testimony and letters of support for Acevedo were part of his decision, Jones said. Acevedo is the sole provider for a family that includes one adult son and two children in high school.

Fourteen people spoke on his behalf, including Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson, Naval Air Station Key West commander Capt. Steve Holmes, City Commissioner Clayton Lopez and two students who said Acevedo kept them from dropping out of high school.

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