Pubdate: Sun, 23 Nov 2003
Source: Laurel Leader-Call (MS)
Copyright: 2003 Laurel Leader-Call
Contact:  http://www.leadercall.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1662
Author: Kathy H. Harrison

Letter To The Editor

ELLISVILLE ELE. RESPONDED CORRECTLY TO DRUG DISCOVERY

I read with interest the letter to the editor in the paper on Tuesday, Nov. 
18, 2003. The article, "What's really going on with "record seizure'?" 
really surprised me.

I am the principal of Ellisville Elementary School. Our school is rated as 
a "Level 5 Superior Performing School" as designated by the State 
Department of Education. A Level 5 is the highest rating a school can 
receive. With the information I have available to me on this date, I am 
going to try to explain "what's really going on" regarding the drug seizure.

On Nov. 4, 2003, a delivery man was unloading meat products for the 
cafeteria. While unloading the meat products, it was determined that one of 
the boxes did not weigh as much as the other boxes. The regular meat boxes 
weighed 40 pounds, but one box weighed about half that amount. The delivery 
man told the cafeteria workers that something was not right with the 
lighter package. They decided to open the box and check to see if it had 
the correct amount of meat in the box. The cafeteria employees always check 
the packing slip and the contents of each box to be sure we receive what 
was ordered. At that time it was discovered that the packages were different.

It is common for any package, crate, carton, etc., that comes into the 
school to be checked before it is allowed into the learning environment. 
All packages arrive into the main office or on the ramp of the cafeteria. I 
feel our employees should be commended for the job they do when 
inventorying supplies. We check for content, quality, and amount. Our 
employees try to see that the taxpayers get their money's worth.

I was called to the cafeteria. I was told to go to the loading and 
unloading ramp. I immediately went to the location. When I arrived, several 
school employees were at that location. I arrived on the scene immediately 
and the scene was secured. I was in contact with the superintendent of 
education, the Jones County School District cafeteria supervisor, 
Ellisville Police Department, Jones County Sheriff's Department, Department 
of School Safety through the State Department of Education, the South Jones 
security officer and Drug Task Force within minutes of the discovery. The 
Ellisville Police Department responded immediately and was on the scene 
within three-four minutes. All of these people were involved in helping to 
see that this situation was handled appropriately and responsibly. I 
applaud each of them for their professionalism and integrity.

At no time was the school learning environment hampered by this situation. 
The students, faculty, and staff had a productive day without disturbance. 
We, as educators, have been trained to handle this type of situation. Our 
district has a Crisis Management Plan. All staff members have this plan and 
are aware of what to do in a crisis situation.

A few days after the drug seizure, the Drug Task Force contacted the Jones 
County School District and explained why the drugs were shipped to two 
schools in Mississippi. According to the Drug Task Force, the following is 
what happened: The truck driver of the packing company in Texas had 34 
kilos of cocaine in the cab of the truck when he was stopped, arrested, and 
the drugs in the cab of the truck were confiscated.

Law enforcement did not know that he had stolen 12 kilos of drugs from the 
shipment and that he had placed the drugs he stole in two boxes of meat in 
the trailer of the truck. There were 6 kilos in each of the two boxes of 
meat he put in the trailer of the truck. His intention was to sell it 
himself instead of delivering it to the intended destination. After 
confiscating the cocaine in the cab of the truck, law enforcement sent the 
truck on its way not knowing there were drugs packed in with the meat in 
the trailer of the truck. If the driver had not been stopped, he would have 
sold the two boxes of meat with the cocaine long before it arrived at a school.

This is how "the misshipment" of drugs was sent to Ellisville and the other 
school on the coast. The Drug Task Force informed our Superintendent of 
Education that the drug delivery was a "misdelivery" and no one in either 
school system was under suspicion.

I can assure the author of this article that we are dedicated to providing 
a safe and orderly learning environment for our students. I know that 
drugs, guns, etc., are problems in society. I do not know where the author 
got the facts, percentages, statistics, etc., that were quoted in the 
paper. We have nothing to hide at Ellisville Elementary School. I invite 
the author of the article to help make our schools and our country better 
instead of criticizing those who are working diligently to help improve 
society and our educational system.

Kathy H. Harrison

Principal

Ellisville Elementary School K-3
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens