MOHAWK SCHOOLS Two administrators atone for drug search

A drug-sniffing dog was to be brought in to search backpacks.
HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- Two Mohawk administrators continue to work, even after getting a 15-day suspension without pay.
The sanction was handed down Monday by school board members and schools Superintendent Timothy McNamee after they learned that the two had planned a search of pupil backpacks by a drug-sniffing dog.
Elementary Principal Deborah Farelli said Thursday she could not comment on the matter.
Farelli and Assistant Principal Patricia Monaco are both under suspension.
What's alleged
A prepared statement by McNamee said the two had instructed pupils to leave their backpacks in school on March 19. They declared it a "backpack free weekend" in honor of statewide testing. Pupils could take library books home, but had to leave study materials and textbooks in the bags.
The principals also hired a handler with a drug-sniffing dog to come to the building that same day.
After receiving complaints from parents, the principals canceled the drug search, stopping the handler in the parking lot.
McNamee said he was unaware of both the backpack incentive and the drug search. The entire matter came to light only after parents complained at an April 12 school board meeting.
Principals apologize
"As part of our investigation, the principals were interviewed and disclosed all of the missing facts," McNamee said in his statement. "In addition, they have apologized to the board and to me for their indiscretion of not informing me in advance of the arrangements and for not initially providing to me and the board the complete and total facts of the March 19, 2004, incident."
McNamee said both will work without pay to try to regain the trust of the school board, administration, staff and parents.