A Michigan school superintendent was forced out of his job after he allegedly got high on campus with a co-worker and drove away, but police found a hunting gun hidden in the backseat.
Holly Stange, the principal at Warren's Fitzgerald Public Schools, was found by police smoking marijuana with the district's food service director in a car parked 1,000 feet from the school grounds. He is accused of being behind the wheel for minutes. According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office.
Police arrested Stange and Amanda Carroll, both 38, on suspicion of “driving under the influence” after they left in separate cars on December 20th.
Macomb County Attorney Peter J. Lucido said, “This is deeply disturbing and violates the trust that the community has in these school administrators.”
“Drunk driving and drug possession near school grounds are not only illegal, but they put the safety of our children at risk. As individuals entrusted with the well-being of Macomb County's children, we will ensure accountability. We will take all necessary legal measures.”
Police found a rifle wrapped in a blanket in the back seat of Stange's car, and a bag containing 50 grams of marijuana in his bag. WWJ reported.
A 6-year-old girl was in Carroll's car when police stopped him.
The newspaper said Carroll was also in possession of more than 25 grams of marijuana.
Prosecutors believe Stange had a gun in his car while on school grounds.
Following a unanimous vote by the Fitzgerald School Board, both women were placed on administrative leave on Sunday pending an internal review.
“The Fitzgerald Public Schools Board of Education today voted unanimously to place District Superintendent Mr. Stange and Amanda Carroll on immediate administrative leave pending an internal review and ongoing criminal investigation.” said Julia Yokel, chair of the committee. he said in a Facebook post.
“The school district has and will continue to cooperate with local law enforcement.”
According to prosecutors, Stange is charged with possession of marijuana on school grounds, possession of a weapon in a weapons-free zone and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Charges against Carroll include possession of marijuana on school grounds, second offense operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with a passenger under 16 years of age.
Both women were arraigned in Warren District Court on December 21, and bail was set at $5,000 each.
Prosecutors say the two are not allowed on school grounds unless otherwise instructed, are prohibited from using alcohol or drugs, are subject to twice-weekly unannounced testing and have no contact with each other. It is said to be restricted.
Mr. Stange is also restricted from using firearms.
“My client, a dedicated educator and administrator with 20 years of experience and the mother of two young children herself, is presumed innocent under the law,” Stange's attorney said. William Barnwell said. he told the Detroit Free Press.
“They have to prove she knew the murder weapon was in the car, they have to prove distance (from the schoolyard), they have to prove disability.”
The two are scheduled to next appear in court on January 2nd.
