Pubdate: Thu, 01 Mar 2007
Source: Express-Times, The (PA)
Copyright: 2007 The Express-Times
Contact:  http://www.pennlive.com/expresstimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1489
Author: Bevin Milavskythe, Express-Times
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

ARREST DISGRACEFUL, HORRIBLE, PARENTS SAY

BETHLEHEM - Parents waiting outside Nitschmann Middle  School on 
Wednesday afternoon were outraged at the  drug-dealing charges 
against a man who was supposed to  be guiding their children.

Lynn Faraldo, who has a daughter in seventh grade, said  the 
allegations that Principal John Acerra was dealing  crystal 
methamphetamine out of his office set a  horrible example for the students.

"It's disgraceful for the school district,"  particularly considering 
students are being taught not  to use drugs, she said.

Darlene Sculley, whose son is an eighth-grade student,  said Acerra 
was condoning drug use through his alleged  actions.

"I think it's horrible. Kids have enough crap to deal  with in life," she said.

Lois Brensinger, whose children attended Nitschmann  when they were 
younger, said she was a year behind  Acerra at Bethlehem Catholic High School.

"He's a great guy. He's a dedicated administrator. It's  like you 
always hear on the news; it's the person you'd  least expect," she 
said. "I feel really bad for him  because it's not someone who's 
really a scumbag. He  blew it."

Brensinger and Faraldo both said Acerra helped make the  school an 
enjoyable place for students. Brensinger said  the principal pushed 
for new programs, including  outfitting every student with a laptop.

"I thought at first, 'This can't be true,' " Brensinger  said of the charges.

Students walking home from school said they had been  told not to 
talk about the charges against Acerra.

"We can't say nothing," one girl said.

"Yeah, we can't talk to you," her friend added.

But the students did confirm the school alerted them to  Acerra's arrest.

Faraldo said the charges are appalling, but the  situation is 
exacerbated by the accusations that Acerra  had drugs on school property.

"To do it in the school," she said, shaking her head.  "Your private 
life is bad enough, but in the office."
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