Police Say No Case, Hen Hud Continues Marijuana Sale Investigation
The district spokesman explains that the administration is continuing the investigation and that state law strictly prohibits the district from commenting on rumors related to personnel.
On Feb. 18 the Hendrick Hudson School District released this statement regarding its investigation into the alleged sale of marijuana at the high school. The Superintendent said his office asked the New York State Police to investigate the allegations. The police conducted a two-day investigation and determined there was not enough evidence to make any arrests. The police closed their investigation and handed it over to the school district. No students were involved in the allegations or investigation, said district spokesman Rick McCormack.
While rumors swirl around town about the investigation, state law strictly prohibits district officials from discussing or answering questions regarding personnel matters. The district can also not answer questions regarding the ongoing investigation.
When asked why the district reached out to the police in the first place and why the school continued the investigation after the police closed it, McCormack said: “There is a different standard of proof for stuff that is illegal in the street. It is different when it is brought into a school setting. The police did not have enough information to make an arrest…A teacher involved in marijuana sale could and would lose their teaching license.”
The district’s investigation is ongoing but school is closed this week for February break, McCormack said. The district has been in touch with its attorneys. While McCormack could not comment much on the situation, he did refute several rumors.
“No one was removed from the high school in handcuffs at any point, there have been no mass resignations, no sting operations,” said McCormack. He also said there is no video involved in the investigation, a rumor some parents have heard.
“We are doing our best to respond (to questions and rumors) while protecting peoples' rights and to not compromise the investigation as it moves forward,” McCormack said.
As of Tuesday morning, there have been no resignations, according to McCormack.
___
Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Shar
6:56 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Looks like Hen Hud is keeping the dirt under the rug...Parents, please stay awake for your children being schooled at Hen Hud.
cabra
7:38 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
What part of having the police come in to investigate, continuing an internal investigation even thought the police didn't come up with enough evidence for an arrest, and issuing a prompt statement to all of the parents in the district seems like "keeping the dirt under the rug"?? There are proceedures that need to be followed and no one wants to smear innnocent teachers. Rumors and innuendo can be VERY damaging. I, for one, will be patient and let the administration do their job before slinging false accusations.
dleighg
9:15 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
C Abraham, I completely agree. I have faith that the board is and will respond appropriately. I see absolutely NO evidence of anything being swept under the rug. There are things that they LEGALLY can and can't say. They called the police to come in and investigate for crying out loud.
sayitsnotsojack
9:16 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Just ask the kids they know more than the administration for sure, they are the ones who nicknamed the high school "Heroin High". One way to determine if any staff were abusing would be to drug test them as is done with other occupations that have a high public trust, but do it before they can detoxify. Of course, we would not want to invade their privacy. Drugs at the school is one of those items administrations would rather not talk about, instead they want to have turf fields, and huge tashmahal auditoriums.
-
Voiceof Reason
6:05 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
Tom Oliva was selling pot at school His wife Christine Oliva works at Tuxedo High School I wonder if she sells too??? I guess they needed extra money Facebook Share
Don Bartolo
7:03 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
I agree with Hen Huds decision to keep the investigation confidential until it's complete. Sharing the information they have with the public could end up costing the school dearly in a defamation suit and would certainly prejudice any civil actions that are taken in the future. There is a huge difference between criminal actions and civil actions. In a criminal case you need to prove something beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil case you only need a preponderance of evidence (51%). Let the investigation run it's course and then Hen Hud should come forward with a full dislosure. As to making allegations against his wife, that's just not helpful.
John Q. Public
8:05 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
Marius, we've found something to agree on. Now if only you'd hold the Common Council members to the City Charter instead of letting them run roughshod over our rights.
Don Bartolo
8:09 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
JQP
Coming from you, that is the highest of compliments.
Thank you
keren
5:05 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
I am a former student ocf hen hud. I know by experience it is a horrible school, there are drugs there. The teachers where doing them and wiol continue to do so if nothing is done. Hey I wouldent be suprised it the super attentdent or some one in a high position in the district is moving large quanties of drugs through the town of courtland and westchester. The school needs serious help. The worst part is, they are really good at hiding it from outsiders. The usaual crimes of a small town
peekskillman
5:44 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
keren--spellcheck... you're giving your alma mater a bad name