PRINCIPAL'S DRUG ARREST TROUBLES HIGH SCHOOL

For a school reeling from neglect and instability at the top, Johnston
High School Principal Al Midiz-Melton brought new hope when he arrived
last fall with an agenda to tackle high dropout rates and subpar
student performance.

But the news of Midiz-Melton's arrest on a drug charge left many at
the school Tuesday with dashed hopes, grim resignation and a freshly
opened wound. Austin police documents released Tuesday said that, in
addition to finding 3 1/2 ounces of marijuana and drug paraphernalia
in Midiz-Melton's Allandale home Sunday, officers discovered traces of
what they suspect is cocaine.

Midiz-Melton, who turned 49 Tuesday, was jailed at 2 a.m. Monday and
released six hours later on his own recognizance. The Austin school
district put him on paid leave while police investigate.

Midiz-Melton was not at his home Tuesday and has not returned calls
seeking comment since the news broke Monday afternoon.

"People are very distraught," said journalism teacher Janet Elbom, who
has been at Johnston for 20 years. "The kids are going, 'He's the best
principal we ever had.' People just want him back.

"This is just too much to take."

Elbom and others at the East Austin school said they don't know the
details and hope the charge will be dropped. A crisis team was at the
school Tuesday to help students and staff cope.

"A lot of people are saying, 'This can't be,' " Associate Principal
Bob Otey said. "These things are a setback, but everyone is determined
to carry on."

Some teachers cried at a faculty meeting Monday, one teacher said, and
students were upset about further damage to the school's reputation.

"That makes our school look worse," said Jose Esquivel, a sophomore.
"We don't appreciate that."

Dorothy Orebo, who retired as principal of LBJ High School seven years
ago, is serving as interim principal.

Police came to Midiz-Melton's home Sunday evening in response to a
burglary alarm. They entered the unlocked front door and said they
discovered marijuana cigarettes in an ashtray in Midiz-Melton's living
room. They also found what they said looked like cocaine residue on
top of a dresser and on a rolled-up dollar bill, according to an
affidavit police filed for a search warrant.

Police filed a Class A misdemeanor marijuana possession charge but did
not file charges in connection with the suspected cocaine. The penalty
for the marijuana charge is up to a year in jail.

Midiz-Melton came home while the officer was still in the home and
initially refused to give police permission to search the house
further, according to police. Officers said they read Midiz-Melton his
rights and sent a detective to have a Municipal Court judge sign off
on the search warrant.

Midiz-Melton later agreed to escort the officers to the marijuana,
saying, the affidavit states, "your (sic) going to find it anyway." He
told officers he lives at the house alone.

The amount of marijuana found would typically sell for about $245 to
$315, according to law officers.

Police also seized photographs, videotapes and a disposable camera.
Police would not say why they took the items.

With the possible exception of those seizures, the officers appear to
have followed proper procedures, said Robert Dawson, a University of
Texas law professor.

"Usually, you need a warrant to enter without consent, but this sounds
like an emergency situation with the burglary alarm," Dawson said. "If
he discovers the marijuana in plain view, that sounds OK to me."

Police might have trouble justifying taking the videotapes and
photographs because they were not mentioned in the search warrant,
Dawson said.

Another burglary alarm sent police to Midiz-Melton's home last month.
Nothing was taken, according to the police report, and it is unclear
whether the call was a false alarm.

Also, in November 1997 and April 1999, Midiz-Melton told police people
broke into his home and stole several items, including a computer,
jewelry and videotapes. No arrests have been made.

Faculty members said they will let the legal process run its course
before passing judgment.

"I have been at Johnston for 20 years, and we have such wonderful
people here," Elbom said. "We just need good things to happen to us."

Note: You may contact Mary Ann Roser at maroser@statesman.com or 445-3619.
Contact Jason Spencer at jspencer@statesman.com or 445-3605.