Fourth drunk driving arrest, two suspensions, and letters of reprimand. With all that, how come he isn't Teacher of the Year at that school?
Nov 17, 2007 - Roger K. Roberts, 44, a teacher at Tomlin Middle School, was arrested for his 4th DUI after a policeman found him passed out behind the wheel of his car.
His blood alcohol level was 0.190 and 0.181, more than double the level at which state law considers a person impaired.
Driving under the influence is not necessarily a firing offense for teachers, school spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said. But Roberts has been arrested three times before on DUI charges: in 1991, 1996 and 1997, according to a sheriff's spokeswoman.
The fourth DUI is considered a felony under state law.
His teaching certificate was suspended in summer 2004, but reinstated before the beginning of the school year. That action stemmed from a 2002 arrest on an indecent exposure charge.AND, then
Roberts' teaching certificate was suspended again between June and August 1999. That time, he agreed in a settlement to pay $1,000 and undergo treatment.TT - It isn't the teacher lacking in standards. It's the schools who tolerate such behavior.
His personnel file notes letters of reprimand for other incidents as well: In 1996, he pleaded no contest to domestic battery against his wife; in 1996 and 1997, he was found guilty of driving with a suspended license; in 1993, he failed to fully acknowledge the length of his criminal record on his teaching certificate application.
"I caution you to conduct yourself in a more responsible manner," the head of professional standards for Hillsborough schools wrote in 1998.
