Ash, NORTH CAROLINA

Tough decision. She allegedly threatened to kill a school board member. Should the school board supply her with a lawyer or not? Hmmmm.

September 24, 2008 - Monroe Elementary School principal Patricia Rourk has been accused of communicating threats. Specifically, Rourk is accused of verbally threatening to kill Tracey Danka – a former school board candidate, parent and constant critic of Rourk and her school – and cursing and screaming at her outside the Sept. 16 school board meeting.

However, it was Danka who was arrested and charged Monday with simple assault. She denies using violence against Reid. Rourk was not arrested but Danka pressed charges. Both Rourk and Danka are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 15.

The case has pushed to the surface longtime tensions between the local black community and the Brunswick County school system. The school board will decide whether to supply Rourk with an attorney or not.

TT - This is what we call Trash Education.

Long Beach, CALIFORNIA

Acquitted of all charges by a jury.

Sept 17, 2007 - Raul Olivas, 41, Millikan High School head boys basketball coach, was arrested on suspicion of secretly videotaping his 16-year-old stepdaughter after the girl found a camera containing graphic images hidden in her bedroom closet.

The girl was searching for something when she came across the camera trained on a part of the room where she typically dressed. On the camera were images of her in various states of undress.

Police did not identify Olivas, but the Press-Telegram did. Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 27

June 24, 2008 - Reader said that he was found not guilty. We are trying to find an online story to link to.

ACQUITTED July 11 - A jury last month acquitted a former Millikan High School teacher and coach charged with two counts of secretly taping his 16-year-old stepdaughter for sexual gratification.

Rather, Olivas and a forensic psychologist who testified for the defense - along with Olivas's wife and his stepdaughter - testified that Olivas was suffering from alcoholism, gambling addiction and depression and that he planted the camera in an obvious place as an act of self-destruction.

During the trial, Olivas' three previous DUIs were brought to light as well his prior treatment for alcoholism during a stint in rehab.

ODD NOTE: City Prosecutor Tom Reeves said Thursday that his office made no notice of the trial at the request of the victim and her family. "They were very upset with the previous media coverage," Reeves said. "So we agreed win, lose, or draw we would not publicize the case." [TT - Is that bizarre, or what?]

EVEN ODDER NOTE: According to court transcripts, Dr. Sanjay Sahgal - an assistant professor at USC and the forensic psychiatrist who interviewed Olivas - said Olivas freely admitted planting the camera to tape his stepdaughter and admitted he was attracted to teen girls. The doctor said such attractions are normal for adult males; and that while the act of setting up the camera was immoral and wrong, it was not proof of sexual deviation or pathology. [TT - No. Every father secretly tapes their 16-year-old daughter undressing. Or dreams of it? What the hell is that?]

JURY ACQUITS.

Cocoa, FLORIDA

Keg party where she charged the students $5.

Witnesses estimate as many as 70 teens came to the party and several fistfights broke out. When asked why she let young girls walk around the party in lingerie, Meyer said at the time she thought it was no different than wearing a bathing suit.

July 18, 2008 - Emily Meyer, 30, a Saturn Elementary School teacher, was sentenced to 30 days in jail after pleading no contest to hosting a party and buying beer for dozens of underage high school students. She was also sentenced to 11 months of probation and 50 hours of community service

She told the judge that she had a drinking problem.

Meyer tried to explain how she ended up hosting a party for high schoolers when she was supposed to be house-sitting and looking after a 16-year-old girl and her younger brother. The former Saturn Elementary School teacher was captured on a Wal-Mart surveillance camera after agreeing to buy the girl's friends a keg.

"I know I was lucid enough to think to myself and to say out loud to my boyfriend at the time, 'I'm going to hell for this,'" she said.

Meyer is currently attending AA and will be on suicide watch at the jail. At her sentencing, two teachers and her former principal testified she was an excellent teacher who should not have to serve time in jail.

Meyers is a single parent. Witnesses estimate as many as 70 teens came to the party and several fistfights broke out. When asked why she let young girls walk around the party in lingerie, Meyer said at the time she thought it was no different than wearing a bathing suit.

FoxOrlando: Meyer admitted to buying the keg of beer. She also admitted that at the time she didn’t care if any of the students got hurt driving home after the party. Meyer says she was having emotional problems during that period of her life and that she was using drugs and alcohol which affected her judgment.

Prosecutors are still proceeding with their case against Meyer's boyfriend, James Ali, who has also been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a party.

RELEASED August 11 - Meyer was released after seven days in jail. She still must must serve 11 months of probation and perform 50 hours of community service.

Mansfield, ARKANSAS

Role Model #562

June 19, 2008 - Deborah Ludlow, a Mansfield teacher, was arrested on charges of shoplifting. Investigators were called to Kohl's department store Wednesday night after store security stopped Deborah Ludlow. Officers said they found clothing and other merchandise in her purse.

GUILTY PLEA August 12 - Ludlow pleaded guilty Monday and is seeking treatment for a sleeping disorder as part of a plea agreement in Fort Smith District Court. District Judge Ben Beland said the court would take the case under advisement for one year and if Ludlow meets the terms and conditions of her plea agreement, the misdemeanor case against her would be dismissed.

The judge told Ludlow she must continue treatment with her physician, get treatment for her sleep disorder and that she must report status and progress every three months to the court for a year in order for the case to be dismissed

Mansfield School District Superintendent Jim Hattabaugh said Monday that he has suspended Ludlow from teaching and will recommend her termination to the board. She has 30 days from July 29 to appeal Hattabaugh’s recommendation.
Full Name: Deborah N. Ludlow

LAWSUIT October 31 - The Mansfield School Board fired Ludlow on Sept. 23, after she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor shoplifting charge Aug. 11. Ludlow has filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement to her former job. In addition to reinstatement, she wants back pay, benefits and costs and attorney’s fees and pre- and post-judgment interest.