Lesson of the Day. Two 4th-grade students turned her in for using snorting cocaine out of a pen cap in the classroom. Sentence: 100 hrs of community service.
Feb 9, 2007 -
Joan Donatelli, 59, a substitute teacher in the Lewiston-Porter school district has been arrested for allegedly using drugs in a classroom.
Two fourth graders notified administrators, police were called and found evidence of what they think was cocaine. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance with child endangerment and banned from the school.
[A number of stories show the name as John Donatelli.]
The Niagara Gazette reported that:
Donatelli was seen by at least two students using what they thought was drugs on Feb. 1, [Police Department Sgt. Frank ] Previte said. A follow-up investigation and testing showed Donatelli used cocaine on school grounds that day, he said.Feb 10 - The Buffalo News: "Teacher admits snorting cocaine in class"
Donatelli taught first grade full-time in the district from Sept. 1, 1969, through June 30, 2003, and spent time as first-grade department chairperson, district clerk Debra Sherman said. She has served a substitute since retiring from full-time service.
Two of her pupils said they saw Donatelli use the cap of a pen to scoop the contents of a small plastic bag and place it to her nose, [Sgt. Frank J.] Previte said. They reported the incident to the principal, Tamara Larson, who in turn told Don W. Rappold, interim superintendent of schools.Lewiston police officers checked the classroom that evening and found some trace evidence, Previte said.
When Previte went to Donatelli's house later that evening, she admitted doing cocaine in the classroom and disposing of the contents of the bag in the school washroom after being interviewed by Rappold.
Donatelli gave police the small plastic bag and two pen caps, which tested positive for cocaine in the Niagara County Sheriff's Office forensic laboratory. Full name: Joan M. Donatelli
UPDATE Feb 22 - Donatelli pleaded not guilty. Her lawyer, Angelo Dimillo, says Donatelli is seeking treatment.
UPDATE Apr 18 - Donatelli pleaded guilty Wednesday to seventh-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. It's a plea agreement that may result in a mere 60 days in jail .
UPDATE June 14 - Sentencing has been postponed. The Journal-Register saw the presentencing report and says that it suggests she not go to jail for using cocaine in a Lewiston-Porter classroom this past winter. The postponement was requested by her attorney who wanted more time to review the report.
Donatelli will return to court June 27.
UPDATE SENTENCING June 28 - She was sentenced to
to 100 hours of community service with Literacy Volunteers of America — work she can’t perform with children — ordered her to continue her drug addiction treatment with Horizons and had her surrender her driver’s license. In addition, Donatelli’s teaching license has been surrendered, meaning she’s no longer allowed to teach in a school in New York state.
