TEACHER BACK IN CLASSROOM AFTER DRUG CHARGE

A Tulsa teacher who was charged over the summer with possession of
marijuana and drug paraphernalia after being stopped by airport
security workers is back on the job at Lewis and Clark Middle School.

James Royce Queen, 54, is a reading teacher who has worked for Tulsa
Public Schools for 24 years. He was charged July 1 in Tulsa County
District Court with unlawful possession of a controlled drug and drug
paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.

Queen has plead not guilty. A jury trial in his case has been set for
Oct. 10.

Capt. John Bowman with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office said law
enforcement records indicate Queen was cited after airport security
workers who were screening him discovered that a "bulge" near the
crotch-area of Queen's pants contained a packet of marijuana.

Tulsa Superintendent Michael Zolkoski recommended that Queen be fired
for "reasons involving moral turpitude, incompetence and willful
neglect of duty."

But at a routine due process hearing on Aug. 21, four school board
members - Gary Percefull, Ruth Ann Fate, Oma Copeland and Bobbie Gray
- - voted to give him another chance.

The board members approved a deal under which Queen was suspended for
20 days without pay and then reinstated after agreeing to drug abuse
counseling and submitting to 18 months of random drug testing.

Based on Queen's gross salary of $51,844, 20 days' lost pay would
amount to more than $5,700. According to minutes from the meeting,
Board President Percefull said the deal was meant to mirror the
discipline procedures for a student caught with drugs at school.

"He said that the board believed there needed to be a consequence for
the gross failure of good judgment, but also believed in redemption
and rehabilitation," the minutes quoted Percefull as saying.

TPS Compliance Officer Roger Holder said Queen returned to work on
Monday because his suspension was considered retroactive to Aug. 7,
the first work day for all Tulsa teachers for the 2008-09 academic
year.

"He was reinstated because he met all of the board's requirements,"
Holder said.

On Wednesday, Queen's attorney Richard O'Carroll said the school board
made a "reasoned decision" concerning his client, who he said has a
spotless employment record including being runner-up for TPS teacher
of the year a few years ago.

"He makes one mistake and it's a nominal mistake and it shouldn't be
fatal to his career. We didn't dispute the facts at the hearing,"
O'Carroll said.

O'Carroll negotiated a deal with the board on Queen's behalf that
means he would "forfeit all due process procedures and immediately be
terminated" if he tests positive for drugs during the next 18 months.

"He agreed to put harsh protocols on him, and he will do well,"
O'Carroll said.