Pubdate: Sat, 11 April 1999
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Copyright: 1999 Chicago Tribune Company
Contact:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Forum: http://www.chicagotribune.com/interact/boards/
Author: From Tribune News Services

PRINCIPAL CHARGED IN COCAINE SALES

NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- A principal known for tough words about drug abuse has
been charged with running a narcotics ring at her elementary school.

Delores Hill, 53, was arraigned Friday on charges of being the leader of a
small drug ring at the Tabernacle Church of God Elementary School in
Brooklyn.

Hill allegedly sold cocaine to an undercover policewoman on school grounds.
She was arrested along with the school nurse, a janitor and another worker.

Authorities said the defendants dealt drugs to adults while children were in
class.

The janitor, Steven Donawa, 42, was arrested after he stopped by Hill's
apartment and left carrying 51 bags of cocaine, prosecutors said. Patricia
Kersey, 41, the school nurse, was arrested for allegedly selling cocaine to
an undercover police officer.

Hill has been quoted as an opponent of drug use. "There needs to be more
drug education, especially for parents," she told Newsday in 1990. "Our 2nd
graders know more about drugs than some of the parents."

Authorities shut down the private, 160-student school.

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