Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jun 2012
Source: Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY)
Copyright: 2012 Daily Freeman
Contact:  http://www.dailyfreeman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3269

WHAT'S THE RIGHT MESSAGE?

Who would have suspected that the simple failure to stop a car 
completely at a stop sign would result in a raging community debate 
that has clarified little, save the existence of a huge cultural divide?

We're guessing that Andrew Sheber didn't.

A rolling stop  so not actually a stop; but, then, how many motorists 
actually do stop?  resulted in Sheber being charged with unlawful 
possession of a small amount of marijuana, which he said had been 
left in his car by a friend whom he drove to the Mountain Jam concert 
in the town of Hunter.

Unlawful possession of marijuana is a simple violation, which is 
below the level of a misdemeanor, which is to say, no criminal 
matter. Usually, this results in a fine paid to a local court and the 
whole matter is as quickly forgotten as a parking ticket. No big 
deal, right? Wrong. Sheber, 45, is vice principal of Kingston High 
School, and that, as the saying goes, changes everything.

We'll leave it to others to riff on the "vice" side of his title; for 
Sheber, this is no laughing matter.

Sheber has been placed on paid leave by the district pending the 
outcome of the case. Sheber told the Freeman he fears the charge will 
end his career in education, which locally has included a couple of 
years as an administrator, preceded by 11 years as an English teacher 
at the high school.

The case is going to be a tough call for school district 
Superintendent Paul Padalino and the Board of Education. To say the 
community is engaged with the matter would be understatement. Within 
48 hours of reporting the arrest, the Freeman had received more than 
220 website comments, many quite heated.

To some of Sheber's defenders, his skill as a teacher and 
administrator and his strong concern for the welfare of students 
clearly outweigh what is a commonplace, low-level charge. The 
marijuana legalization crowd, of course, simply finds the whole thing absurd.

But to critics, the case calls for anything but leniency. Some say 
the law is the law and you get what you deserve if you violate it. 
Others make the argument that a faculty member is supposed to be a 
role model and that the district, after all, treats drug violations 
by students as a serious matter.

It is, indeed, the issue of school district use of tough enforcement 
policies with students that complicates this case.

We believe in bright lines. They can be clarifying for all involved.

But, at the same time, life, rarely so well-defined, is often full of 
complications and nuances.

In the end, what sort of clear message should be sent by the district 
in the case of Andrew Sheber?

That violation of certain rules brings certain consequences? That's 
an important message.

Or that the totality of a career devoted to raising kids, with all of 
their complications, deserves some due consideration? That's an 
important message, too.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom