Pubdate: Thu, 21 Sep 2006
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2006 Detroit Free Press
Contact:  http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: Zlati Meyer, Free Press Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

TRUSTEE QUITS AFTER DRUG BUST

Ex-Clarenceville Board Member Issues Apology

A Clarenceville school board member resigned Sunday  after being
arrested on a charge of cocaine possession.

Bryan Bentley, an alumnus and lifelong resident of the  district, was
arrested shortly after midnight at his  Livonia home. Officers
responded to a disturbance at  the home in the 19000 block of
Brentwood, police said.

The sales development associate for Variety Foods was  in the middle
of his third term on the school board,  which would have ended in
2008, according to the  district.

"I apologize to my family, to my district, the  administration,
everyone in the district whom I've  worked with," Bentley said
Tuesday. "It was a moment of  weakness and stupidity that brought me
to this point. I  apologize for letting people down."

The 44-year-old, who posted $500 bond on the  misdemeanor, declined to
say how he would plead in  court. If convicted, he could get 93 days
in jail, a  $500 fine or both.

He's expected to appear in 16th District Court within  the next three
weeks.

"Mr. Bentley's personal issues have no bearing on the  operation of
the Clarenceville School District,"  Superintendent Cheryl Leach said
Wednesday. "It's a  personal issue for him and he has resigned his
position, and we regret he has to step down from his  position under
these circumstances."

Clarenceville is accepting applications for his  replacement until
Tuesday and all of them will be  reviewed at the regular board meeting
Sept. 28, Leach  said.

School officials are to hold open interviews Oct. 6, if  necessary,
and a candidate will be seated at the Oct.  12 board meeting.

The district includes parts of Livonia, Farmington  Hills and Redford
Township. The district isn't planning  to use this opportunity to
reinforce the no-drugs  message to its students.

"Our kids received their drug education through life  skills and
health classes," Leach said. "We're not  doing anything to deviate
from the normal curriculum  regarding this issue."
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MAP posted-by: Derek