Smyrna, TENNESSEE

STORY OF THE DAY

August 11, 2007 - From: The Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro, Tennesee, "Arrested teachers return to class SUB: Drug tests for Gill; Shelton can't own gun"

A Middle School technology teacher was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to diversion that included $1,064 in fines, two months of drug screening and an 11-month 29-day suspended sentence. He took a medical leave of absence the rest of 2006-07 and used his sick-day benefits for income. TT - Link

He was not reprimanded "because it was not related to his job." His brother is Rutherford County Schools Director.

The second teacher was suspended briefly for firing a gun at a neighbor. "The reason for the suspension and the charge against you is conduct unbecoming a member of the teaching profession in that you have been charged with a felony," the letter stated. TT - Link

However, the suspension ended, and the district gave her back pay because she's no longer being prosecuted on felony charges.

A poster at the news story had this to say, "Two months drug testing, and I bet you they gave him the dates of these tests. Wait a couple of months and let a drug sniffing dog walk around his truck, AT SCHOOL. As far as the teacher that got so angry because her neighbor was making too much noise..what is she going to do to the kids when they get loud as teenagers do? Crazy, and to top it off, they both got their back pay."

See the April newspaper editorial about Role Models. In Rutherford County, for example, teachers are required to tell the school system about drug- or alcohol-related arrests but only if they happen on campus.

Other Tennesee stories of note.
See School board doesn't want to infringe on teacher rights
See The Tennessean : Teacher Crimes Barely Traced
See License Actions in Tennesee
See The elementary school staff that pretended a gun man was outside.
See Teacher's husband arrested for killing student she was alleged to be involved with
See He resigned so we will no longer investigate accusations
See Five days to remove teacher from a classroom where he solicited sex
See Three districts: paternity suit, fired for racy messages, then sex with two students.
See To report crime, or no, at school officials discretion
See Pamela Rogers, who doesn't need any more fame