Fates rest on marijuana investigation outcome
By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
The Hopewell Valley Regional School District’s response to last week’s arrests of two teachers and a teacher’s aide in a well-publicized marijuana case will be determined by the outcome of the investigation of the case, the superintendent of schools said Tuesday.
The three women — Candace Bessellieu, Kelly Schmidt and Tanya Verba — have been suspended by the school district pending the outcome of the legal process of their cases.
”I have been contacted by several members of the community who feel very strongly about this issue. However, it is important to remember that these individuals have a right to their due process,” Thomas Smith said. “As we conduct our own internal investigation, we will work with the police as they conduct theirs. The outcome of these investigations will determine our course of action.
”Our focus at this time is to ensure that the students who are in these teachers’ classes experience a smooth transition and continue to receive an outstanding education.
”It is important to acknowledge that, as public educators, we are held to a higher standard and our actions are heavily scrutinized. When an incident like this occurs, it reflects on our district and on the education profession as a whole.
”On the district level, we continue to review our policies and procedures regarding drugs and alcohol. This is an issue that is facing not only Central High School, but arguably every high school in America. We will continue to address this issue proactively to ensure our students are being educated in an environment that is as safe as we can make it,” said Dr. Smith.
A TIMBERLANE Middle School teacher and a Central High School paraprofessional, or teacher’s aide, were charged Feb. 8 with possession of marijuana.
In the same case, a Central High School teacher was charged with the endangerment of the welfare of a child, Hopewell Township police Chief George Meyer said Feb. 10.
The charges followed a weeklong drug investigation by Hopewell Township Detective Michael Sherman and the police of Ewing, where the incident that led to the charges allegedly took place.
Ms. Bessellieu, 53, of Ewing, has been charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child, Chief Meyer said. Ms. Bessellieu is a teacher at Hopewell Valley Central High School. The endangerment charges “do not involve a Hopewell Valley student,” Chief Meyer noted.
”This is an indictable offense and will be referred to the prosecutor’s office.” Chief Meyer said he could release no other information on the endangerment charge at this point.
Ms. Schmidt, 31, of Yardley, Pa., has been charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana. Ms. Schmidt is a paraprofessional at Hopewell Valley Central High School.
Ms. Verba, 29, of Hamilton, has been charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana. Ms. Verba is a teacher at Timberlane Middle School.
All were released without posting bail after being charged.
Chief Meyer said that, on Feb. 1, Michael Daher, principal of Central High School, notified Detective Sherman, a school liaison officer for the township police, of some information he had obtained regarding some school district employees and the use of drugs. Principal Daher shared all of the information with Detective Sherman under the Uniform Memorandum of Agreement between Law Enforcement and Education, Chief Meyer said.
”Detective Sherman initiated an investigation based on the information provided,” the chief said. “The investigation determined that an alleged drug possession violation took place in Ewing Township at the home of a Central High School teacher.
”Ewing Township police joined the investigation, and Detective Jeff Jacobs was assigned to the case. Detective Sherman remained active in the investigation due to the potential of the case involving activity or people in Hopewell Township and/or Hopewell schools,” the chief said.
On Feb. 10, the chief said “there is no indication of any Hopewell Valley students being involved in this case or any possession or use of drugs on school grounds. The investigation is continuing.”
Superintendent Smith noted that the “alleged activity took place outside of the school day, outside of Hopewell Valley, and did not involve any Hopewell (Valley) students.”