WEST TEACHER FACING DRUG TRIAL QUITS

The Wichita English Instructor Was Arrested In Texas On Federal
Trafficking Charges.

A Wichita high school teacher resigned Monday, just more than one
month after being arrested on federal drug trafficking charges in Texas.

West High School English teacher Vidya Kennedy was arrested July 6 in
the border county of Val Verde on a charge of importing about 80.55
kilograms -- more than 177 pounds -- of marijuana from Mexico,
according to court records. Kennedy, 29, also faces charges of intent
to distribute marijuana.

Also arrested and charged in the case was Bryan Jacob Walter. His
hometown was not included in the court records.

Bond was set at $20,000 for Kennedy. She was released from the GEO
Group Val Verde Correctional Facility in Del Rio, Texas, after posting
bond July 9. She waived her preliminary hearing.

The co-defendant, Walter, was ordered held without bond.

Wichita school district officials were made aware of the allegations
against Kennedy by an anonymous caller within the "last couple of
weeks," district spokeswoman Wendy Johnson said.

The district had checked into the allegations, according to another
district spokeswoman, Susan Arensman, but could not confirm the arrest
or charges.

Johnson and Arensman said Kennedy was to be questioned about the
allegations Wednesday, the first day back at school for all teachers
in the district.

Citing personnel reasons, Johnson and Arensman said they could not
reveal the explanation Kennedy gave for submitting her resignation.
Kennedy had been an employee with the Wichita district since September
1998, according to public records.

Kennedy did not return a phone call Monday. But on Sunday, she denied
the allegations and said whoever was behind the anonymous calls was
trying to ruin her career and reputation.

Upcoming court dates for Kennedy and Walter were not listed in the
court records.