But Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly argued it was the kind of case worthy of "the heavy end" of the one- to 20-year range.

He said the fire displaced 400 LPS employees and caused the loss of countless personal items. The new building will cost above and beyond what insurance will pay.

Kelly also pointed to the reasons listed for why Brewster did what she did.

He said she and Ferdico talk of how LPS denied her right to Family Medical Leave and how, in their opinion, an employee unfairly targeted her. Under the weight of it, they say, Brewster lashed out.

"To these ears, it sounds a little less like accepting her full responsibility and a little more like her intent to file a civil lawsuit," Kelly said.

In a letter to the judge, Nancy Biggs, associate superintendent for human resources, said the toll on the employees working at the building was significant, "and we live with daily reminders of our losses."

The school district asked for the maximum.

In the end, District Judge Steven Burns gave the sentence -- eight to 12 years in prison -- saying only that he didn't feel probation was appropriate.

Then court security quietly walked her out in handcuffs.