TEACHER REQUESTS DRUG TRIAL

MACON, Ga. -- A Springdale Elementary School teacher appeared before a Bibb
County Superior Court judge Monday and requested a trial on a
drug-possession charge rather than a spot in the county's Drug Court program.

Judge Walker Johnson scheduled second-grade teacher Mia T. Lightfoot's
arraignment for Oct. 25. An arraignment is a court appearance at which a
defendant pleads guilty or not guilty to criminal charges.

Lightfoot, a six-year veteran of the Bibb school system, was arrested two
months ago and charged with possession of cocaine. She was given the
opportunity to enter Drug Court, a 12-month, diversionary treatment program
for people accused of drug offenses for the first time. Charges are dropped
once a person successfully completes the program.

But Lightfoot's attorney, Charles Jones of Fort Valley, said last month
that Lightfoot planned to contest the possession charge in court and before
the Bibb school board, which will hold a personnel hearing Wednesday at 6
p.m. Jones, who was not present for Lightfoot's court appearance Monday,
could not be reached for comment. A Drug Court attorney appeared with
Lightfoot instead.

Lightfoot was released on her own recognizance after the hearing.