Some days are just golden.

Nothing brings out the teenage rebel in me like finding out my old high school assistant principal has been busted for drugs:

This from the Newnan Times Herald:

School administrator arrested
Jennings retires after cocaine, other charges filed
Published 11/29/03

By CAMERON JOHNSON

cameron@newnan.com

Coweta Assistant Superintendent Chris Jennings tendered his retirement to the school board -- effective immediately -- following his Wednesday afternoon arrest for DUI and possession of almost seven grams of suspected cocaine.

"We are aware of it," said Superintendent Peggy Connell Thursday. "I have talked to Chris. He has already submitted his retirement letter to me. He is retiring. He's worked for this school system for almost 32 years."

"His work has been wonderful," Connell said. "I was glad he was here. He's been a dedicated employee for 30 years. We were all surprised, and we hope that he does get treatment."

Wednesday, at around 2 p.m., Jennings was clocked at 90 mph in a 70 mph zone at mile post 18 while on southbound Interstate 85, according to Georgia State Patrol Public Information Officer Gordy Wright. The trooper from the Troup County post caught up with Jennings at mile post 15, and initiated a traffic stop.

The trooper got Jennings out of the car, according to Wright; and he had no driver's license, but he did have his Coweta County School System identification card. The trooper detected the apparent odor of alcohol and gave Jennings a field test which resulted positive for alcohol.

During the course of the pat down before being placed in the trooper's cruiser Jennings had his hands in his pockets and did not want to pull them out, according to Wright. Eventually he did, and the trooper found a pill bottle with a white powder inside. The field test of the powder came back positive for cocaine.

The subsequent inventory and search of the vehicle found additional white powder that is suspected cocaine, according to Wright. The total amount of suspected cocaine found was between five and seven grams.

Jennings is charged with felony possession of cocaine, speeding, DUI, obscured tag, open container and no license on person. He was turned over to Troup County, according to Wright.

Jennings began his career in the Coweta County School System as a teacher, then was an assistant principal, principal, and when Connell arrived he was an assistant superintendent over construction, she said.

Looking to the future and facing a state budget crisis, Connell said that Jennings' retirement could provide the school system an opportunity to conserve money as they reorganize. The superintendent said she plans to share some ideas with the school board.

"It's hard because we are growing," Connell said. "There are so many additions or new construction, and that was what he was supervising. I'm going to look carefully at this and see what we can cut back before I make a decision on what we'll do."


I think they can best combat their budgetary crisis by hiring Jennings to push dope for school fundraisers.