GRAND JURY INDICTS TEACHER ON DRUGS-AT-SCHOOL CHARGE

A Houston Independent School District teacher accused of taking cocaine to
an elementary school campus this past week was indicted Tuesday by Harris
County grand jurors.

Michelle Yvonne Dailing, 38, a special education teacher at Jefferson
Elementary School, was indicted on one charge of possession of a controlled
substance in the amount of four to 200 grams, said prosecutor Mia Magness.

If convicted of the second-degree felony, Dailing could receive as much as
seven to 20 years in prison and could be fined as much as $20,000. The
possible punishment she could get is enhanced because the drugs were found
on a school campus, which is a so-called "drug free zone," Magness said.

Normally, such a charge carries a punishment of two to 20 years in prison
and a $10,000 fine.

Dailing, who is now free on a $10,000 bail, showed up at work on Aug. 30
behaving erratically, according to school officials. She met with a school
nurse and then asked if she could use the principal's restroom.

After Dailing left the restroom, the school principal, Ana Zamarripa, went
into the restroom and noticed that there was a bag in the room containing
what appeared to be drugs, authorities have said. The principal called HISD
police and it was determined later that the bag contained 5.5 grams of cocaine.

Dailing remains on the district's payroll, but she has been relieved of
teaching duties pending the outcome of the case.

District officials also are awaiting the results of a possible drug test
done after the cocaine was found. If the results are positive, Dailing will
be fired.

HISD teachers are not drug tested before employment. However, teachers are
tested randomly or at the request of a supervisor.

Dailing's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 7 in state District
Judge Jeannine Barr's court.