A Newark, N.J., middle school guidance counselor has hopefully learned a valuable lesson about setting fires to automobiles to collect insurance money after being sentenced to a year in jail.

Kenyetta O’Bryant, 38, a counselor at Vailsburg Middle School pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to third-degree arson and insurance fraud for setting fire to not only his BMW, but a friend’s vehicle as well, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.

O’Bryant, of North Plainfield, N.J., set fire to his car in April 2006, owing nearly $35,500 on the BMW when officers discovered the car on fire in Newark’s Weequahic Park. He was indicted for the crime in June 2008.

He also pleaded guilty to similar arson and insurance fraud charges for aiding his friend, Terrance Wilkins, a local middle school principal, in setting Wilkins’ vehicle on fire.

Wilkins was hoping to avoid paying $9,000 in mileage fees on his leased Acura, according to the report.

Both O’Bryant and Wilkins reported that their cars were stolen.

O’Bryant will serve 364 days in Essex County Jail, must forfeit his job at the middle school and is prohibited from public employment in New Jersey.

Wilkins, of Neptune, N.J., resigned as principal following his indictment last June and testified against O’Bryant, avoiding jail time, the Star-Ledger reported.