COLLEGE EXEC BUSTED FOR POT RESIGNS

ANKENY, Iowa - The Des Moines Area Community College Board of Trustees late
Wednesday accepted the resignation of the school's president, who was
charged with marijuana possession and trafficking two weeks ago.

The board went into closed session and then came out to vote on his
agreement to resign, which members unanimously accepted.

"It will be good to get something like this behind us for the sake of the
college," said Chairman Joe Pugel. "It's time we get on with our business."

Under the agreement, former President David England will be paid and
receive health insurance through April 24, plus receive pay for 18 days
accumulated vacation.

Under the terms of the resignation, signed by England on Tuesday afternoon,
he will lose a $1,500-a-month housing allowance, $1,000-a-month expense
account, and an SUV provided by the college. He also will forfeit a
retirement fund valued at about $50,000.

England lawyer William Kutmus, who worked out the deal with the board, said
he was pleased.

"This voluntary resignation on the part of my client, David England, allows
[the college] to go its separate way, and it also allows my client to go
his separate way," Kutmus said.

A call placed Wednesday night to England's home in Johnston went unanswered.

The resignation also requires England to waive all wrongful termination
claims against the college and "fully cooperate" with an internal
investigation.

"What they were looking at there ... is looking to make sure that there
were no faculty, students, staff, college funds, or equipment involved in
any of the activities leading to the arrest of Dr. England," said Donavan
Honnold, a college spokesman. "At this point, nobody's reported anything
either way in that investigation."

The board hopes to have results from the investigation and a financial
audit by its April meeting, Pugel said.

England had been on paid leave from his $183,000 job since his arrest March 12.

He was charged with conspiracy to manufacture and deliver marijuana,
possession of drug paraphernalia, and a tax-stamp violation - charges that
could put him in prison for approximately 15 years if convicted. He posted
$50,000 bond and is to be arraigned April 24.

England's wife, Donna England, who has taken a paid leave from the Des
Moines Art Center, and adult daughter, Jessica, face similar charges. The
couple's 16-year-old son, David Charles, was charged with possession of
marijuana and drug paraphernalia, which carry lesser penalties.

No new search warrants or arrests have been made in the case, said Polk
County Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Ramey.

Pugel said the board will discuss how to proceed in its search for a new
president at the April meeting.

"I don't know that we really did anything wrong in our search procedure
before. I think we just want to make certain to do everything possible to
find the right person," Pugel said.

Kim Linduska, the school's acting president, said it is moving in the right
direction.

"It's time for the college to heal and get about its business of educating
students," she said.