Post by KC on Jun 13, 2006 21:15:41 GMT -5
June 13, 2006 - WESTMINSTER, Vt. -- The Bellows Falls Union High School board wants to know more about why the Vermont State Police raided a home looking for underage drinking at a student party that was being supervised by a parent.
None of the students was found to have been drinking.
A number of parents were upset that Principal Chris Hodsden didn't share with them rumors that circulated for several days before the May 30 gathering at the Rockingham home of Caroline Fontaine that there would be beer at the party.
"You had this information and you didn't share it with me," Fontaine said during a Monday School Board meeting. "I am a single mom. You tried to discredit me. I hold you responsible."
Fontaine said she was threatened by the state police with being handcuffed and that no one would be allowed to leave the property until all the students present submitted to alcohol breath tests.
"Do you know what it is like to have your home invaded?" Fontaine said during a school board meeting as she got out of her chair and pointed to Hodsden. "My rights were violated. I am furious. I am outraged."
Fontaine said she was considering legal action.
Vermont State Police Lt. Jocelyn Stohl said Tuesday police received information the morning of the party about the possible underage drinking event and a special team of four troopers went to Fontaine's home.
"Someone informed Mrs. Fontaine that the police were going to be notified or were going to come," Stohl said.
"Mrs. Fontaine was extremely upset," Stohl said. Fontaine then went into the house and called her attorney who spoke with the troopers, Stohl said.
"The troopers were allowed to look around. They did a customary check. There was nobody with any positive readings and they left," Stohl said. "We were pleased there was nobody drinking."
Hodsden said he heard rumors that a keg of beer was going to be available at the party and he authorized the school resource officer, a deputy sheriff, to share that information with the state police.
Hodsden said he was told the police would, "simply be driving by the location to keep an eye on things and maintain a visible presence."
But something changed.
"Apparently later in the day, the state police had reason to enter the premises, concerned about some possible misconduct," Hodsden said. "I have very few facts on this incident, but I am told the incident was rather confrontational."
Board member Jack Bryar said the police action was akin to the federal government's policy of tapping phone lines of American citizens.
"I am embarrassed for this school," Bryar said. "This needs to be dug into."
The board ordered Hodsden to produce a report on the episode that will be presented at a meeting later this month.
Stohl said the police wouldn't change their procedures for dealing with underaged drinking parties, but some lessons could be learned.
"If anything happens we ought to revisit the process of how information is received, processed and disseminated," Stohl said.
None of the students was found to have been drinking.
A number of parents were upset that Principal Chris Hodsden didn't share with them rumors that circulated for several days before the May 30 gathering at the Rockingham home of Caroline Fontaine that there would be beer at the party.
"You had this information and you didn't share it with me," Fontaine said during a Monday School Board meeting. "I am a single mom. You tried to discredit me. I hold you responsible."
Fontaine said she was threatened by the state police with being handcuffed and that no one would be allowed to leave the property until all the students present submitted to alcohol breath tests.
"Do you know what it is like to have your home invaded?" Fontaine said during a school board meeting as she got out of her chair and pointed to Hodsden. "My rights were violated. I am furious. I am outraged."
Fontaine said she was considering legal action.
Vermont State Police Lt. Jocelyn Stohl said Tuesday police received information the morning of the party about the possible underage drinking event and a special team of four troopers went to Fontaine's home.
"Someone informed Mrs. Fontaine that the police were going to be notified or were going to come," Stohl said.
"Mrs. Fontaine was extremely upset," Stohl said. Fontaine then went into the house and called her attorney who spoke with the troopers, Stohl said.
"The troopers were allowed to look around. They did a customary check. There was nobody with any positive readings and they left," Stohl said. "We were pleased there was nobody drinking."
Hodsden said he heard rumors that a keg of beer was going to be available at the party and he authorized the school resource officer, a deputy sheriff, to share that information with the state police.
Hodsden said he was told the police would, "simply be driving by the location to keep an eye on things and maintain a visible presence."
But something changed.
"Apparently later in the day, the state police had reason to enter the premises, concerned about some possible misconduct," Hodsden said. "I have very few facts on this incident, but I am told the incident was rather confrontational."
Board member Jack Bryar said the police action was akin to the federal government's policy of tapping phone lines of American citizens.
"I am embarrassed for this school," Bryar said. "This needs to be dug into."
The board ordered Hodsden to produce a report on the episode that will be presented at a meeting later this month.
Stohl said the police wouldn't change their procedures for dealing with underaged drinking parties, but some lessons could be learned.
"If anything happens we ought to revisit the process of how information is received, processed and disseminated," Stohl said.