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."