Teacher fired but not charged in drug case

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Nov 22, 2006 by Barbara Hollingsworth

By Barbara Hollingsworth

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 has fired an elementary art teacher suspected of having drug paraphernalia on school property.

Coen Potts, who had taught at Pauline South Intermediate and Pauline Central Primary schools for four years, was terminated by school board members Monday night for "apparent possession of drug paraphernalia on school property." Potts was removed from his teaching duties Oct. 25.

The teacher isn't currently facing criminal charges. However, the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office investigated the case and has turned its findings over to the office of Shawnee County District Attorney Robert Hecht, said sheriff's spokeswoman Martha Lutz. Hecht said he expects to review the case next week before deciding if charges will be filed.

Auburn-Washburn school board members began moving toward firing Potts late last month for violating school board policy.

Potts was sent written notice that he was entitled to a public hearing if he requested one. By the time board members met Monday night, a 15-day waiting period during which Potts could have submitted a written request for a hearing had passed without such a submission, said district spokesman Martin Weishaar.

The firing became effective Monday.

Superintendent Brenda Dietrich previously wrote to parents that the district had no reason to believe students came in contact with the materials. On Tuesday, she said that statement remained true.

Legal tangles that result in a conviction can keep teachers out of the classroom in Kansas. Convictions are to be reported to the Kansas State Department of Education under state law and can result in a teacher's license being revoked.

Barbara Hollingsworth

can be reached at (785) 295-1285 or barbara.hollingsworth@

cjonline.com.