Bills seek to oust teachers on drug charges

Tuesday, March 23, 1999 | 12:42 p.m.

SB293 and SB488 are in the Human Resources and Facilities Committee, chaired by Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas.

Currently, school officials have to rely on actual convictions before they taking administrative action against employees charged with drug-related offenses.

In some cases, those judgments don't immediately follow a guilty plea because of deferred sentencing arrangements, in which a person enters a guilty plea but the judgment is delayed. If the person successfully completes probation, the guilty plea can be rescinded and the charge dismissed.

Michael Malloy, an attorney for Lyon and Washoe county school districts, said that's been a problem because teachers who admit to drug possession charges have wound up back in the classroom thanks to deferred sentencing arrangements.

In addition to being very disruptive to the school and community, he said such situations send a mixed message to children who are constantly told to avoid drugs and face sanctions like expulsion if they don't.

While SB293 addresses some problems, "It doesn't go far enough because it doesn't take that teacher or administrator or employee out of contact with the kids even though there's no question that they have been involved with drugs," said Malloy.

He and others urged Rawson's committee Monday to back SB488, which they said better addresses their concerns.

SB488 is scheduled for a hearing April 5. Rawson said he'll wait until the second bill is heard before taking any action.