DELRAY TEACHER ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES SENT HOME AFTER STARTING SCHOOL YEAR

Delray Beach -- An elementary teacher arrested on a cocaine possession
charge returned to work for six days but was sent home Thursday after a
district administrator learned of his return.

Les Bromwell, who teaches physical education at Banyan Creek Elementary in
Delray Beach, was placed on paid leave after his May 2 arrest. He was
charged with cocaine possession and driving with a suspended license after
police found crack cocaine on the driver's side of his Toyota Camry,
according to a Boynton Beach police report.

Bromwell, 47, returned to school Aug. 11. He said he received approval from
Principal Bill Fay and the professional-standards department after agreeing
to some terms in drug court.

But Rod Montgomery, an area superintendent who oversees the school, said he
believes Bromwell was allowed to return prematurely.

"Right now there is nothing that supports the return of the teacher,"
Montgomery said. "There was some miscommunication."

Montgomery said he learned of Bromwell's status Thursday and sent him home
on paid leave, where he will remain until the case is resolved.

Another court hearing is set for Sept. 12.

Principal Fay and Raymond Miller, director of professional standards, were
out of town and could not be reached. Montgomery said he was waiting for
clarification from both.

In an interview Thursday, Bromwell said he got a letter from the district's
professional standards department, informing him it had finished an
internal investigation, and he would be told the results Aug. 26. The
letter did not say whether he could return to work, but, Bromwell said, he
got approval from Fay and the professional standards department.

"I was told to be there," he said. "I'm a peon teacher. When someone tells
me to come back to work, I come back to work," Bromwell said.

Bromwell denied ever using cocaine, saying a friend left the drugs in the
car. But, he said, he didn't think he could win his case, so he agreed to
enter a drug-intervention program, where he will submit to random testing
and counseling over the next year. The charge would then be expunged from
his record, he said.

"It was the only way I could assure of keeping my job," he said.

Fay had prepared a letter to send to parents, explaining why Bromwell was
back at work, school district spokesman Nat Harrington said. The letter was
to be sent home with students Thursday, but was stopped when Montgomery
learned of the case.

Amy Wagner, parent of a third-grader, said she was shocked and disturbed
when she found out Bromwell had returned.

"He's a good teacher, but he made a mistake and there are consequences,"
she said. "I don't think he should be around kids."

But Kellie Golembiewski, who has a fourth-grade son at the school, said she
was sorry Bromwell got sent home.

"I was thrilled he was back," she said. "The kids love him, and everyone
deserves a second chance."