DRUG CHARGE GETS PRINCIPAL A SUSPENSION

CLEVELAND, Texas -- (AP) A junior high school principal has been suspended
with pay after being charged with possession of marijuana and unlawfully
carrying a pistol.

Richard Kreiner, 47, of Cleveland, was released on $1,500 bail Friday after
being jailed overnight by the Woodbranch Village Police Department on the
drug and weapons charges.

He was in his first year as principal of Cleveland Junior High School after
having been a successful teacher in the Bryan school district.

"He was suspended, pending review of the police reports. If the charges
are true, they violate our code of ethics. We have a zero-tolerance policy
here on such things," said Nancy Fuller, interim superintendent for the
Cleveland Independent School District.

She said Kreiner did not have a criminal history.

Woodbranch Police Chief Stoney England said one of his officers pulled over
Kreiner's truck on U.S. 59 Thursday because of an "obstructed license
plate." He said Kreiner aroused suspicion when he leaned over and appeared
to be hiding something under the front seat.

The officer recovered a .357-caliber Magnum pistol, which Kreiner had no
permit for, as well as 28 grams of marijuana, England said.