Pubdate: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 Source: News-Press (FL) Copyright: 2005 The News-Press Contact: http://www.news-press.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1133 Author: Dave Breitenstein Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) SCHOOL TRANSIT WORKER OFF JOB Lee Supervisor Refused Drug Test South zone school transportation supervisor Kim DeLora has been suspended without pay after leaving school grounds when asked to take a drug test, records show. According to documents released Thursday, DeLora passed through a Cape Coral toll booth on Aug. 24, but the toll operator reported DeLora "just didn't look right" and "wasn't herself." DeLora was driving one of the Lee County School District's cars, not a bus. South zone busing director Armando de Leon spoke to DeLora, the report stated, noting her reactions were slow and speech was slurred. The district then ordered her to take a drug test, but DeLora refused, then handed over her district car keys and cell phone, leaving de Leon's office. Efforts to reach DeLora for comment were unsuccessful. Also on Thursday, the board suspended south zone bus dispatcher Shenetta Horne without pay for skipping town during the first week of school. Supervisor Lorraine Watson denied Horne's initial leave request to attend a family reunion in Chicago, but Horne later furnished a doctor's note for the same days and claimed to be sick, according to a petition released Thursday. The district hired Identifax Investigative Services Inc., which filmed Horne at the airport headed to and from Chicago. Both women are appealing to Florida's Division of Administrative Hearings. That same state agency last month cleared another school employee of wrongdoing. Physical education teacher Robert VanDeventer had been accused by an elementary student of molestation in May 2004. His exoneration means he will receive back pay and benefits, coaching supplements and be reinstated, according to an agreement ratified Thursday by the school board. It's the second serious allegation from a Lee County student overturned this year; the first was against Dunbar High band director Michael Joyner. "Any time I get an accusation, I'm going to err on the side of a child," Superintendent James Browder said in explaining VanDeventer's reinstatement. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek