Pubdate: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 Source: Daily Sentinel, The (Grand Junction, CO) Copyright: 2006 Cox Newspapers, Inc. Contact: http://www.gjsentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2084 Author: Kylene Kiang, The Daily Sentinel Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise public figures or officials UNION WILL BACK TEACHER IF FIRED ON DRUG CHARGES The teachers' union that represents Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School teacher [Name redacted] said it does not condone [Name redacted] alleged criminal behavior, but still will support her in the event of termination from employment. [Name redacted] , formerly known as [Name redacted] , 41, has been arrested twice since October 2005. She was charged with methamphetamine and marijuana possession after the 2005 arrest and will face new charges from prosecutors Friday, following her arrest Sunday. "This is a criminal case. The charges against this woman are outside the scope of her employment," read a joint statement from the Mesa Valley Education Association, the teachers' union for Mesa County School District 51, and the Colorado Education Association. Neither group is involved in the legal matters of [Name redacted] criminal case. "CEA represents members in legal matters related to their employment. CEA will represent [Name redacted] if and when the district moves to terminate her," according to the statement. Mesa County School District 51 released a statement Wednesday in response to public criticism of [Name redacted] paid leave. "By placing ( [Name redacted] ) on administrative leave, the district is not defending ( [Name redacted]) or condoning her alleged conduct." The district is re-evaluating her employment status. [Name redacted] , a first-grade teacher, has been employed by the district since 1999. Since October 2005, she has been on administrative leave and continues to receive normal salary and benefits. Under the Colorado Teacher Employment, Compensation and Dismissal Act, grounds for [Name redacted] firing would include a felony conviction or acceptance of a guilty plea. The act does not allow for dismissal on the basis of filed criminal charges. Fran Docherty, the West Central Colorado UniServ director who works with the Colorado Education Association, said no matter what the outcome will be, [Name redacted] right to representation in an employment-related case won't be denied. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine