2 EDUCATORS ON KAUAI HELD ON POT CHARGES

Kula Schools' Vice Principal and a Science Teacher Face Marijuana Charges

MOLOAA, Kauai ; A science teacher and the athletic director of an
expensive private North Shore school were arrested last week for
allegedly growing marijuana at their home.

Alan Bertolino, 43, the science teacher at Kula Intermediate and
High School, was charged with second-degree commercial production of
marijuana, among other charges. He worked at the school for about two months.

Bertolino, who is being held in lieu of bail, was fired Monday, Kula
High Principal David Mireles said.

Kula Vice Principal and Athletic Director David Rojeck, 42, was
charged with third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, a petty
misdemeanor.

Rojeck resigned Monday morning after a meeting with Mireles, he
said. He had been at the school for two years.

Bertolino and Rojeck were living together in Moloaa, a few miles
from campus, Friday when Kauai police, acting on a tip, raided the
home. Police said they found 50 marijuana plants, processed
marijuana, drug paraphernalia and ammunition.

Mireles said parents have been supportive of both the school and the
decision not to keep the educators. Other teachers have been filling
in for Bertolino and will continue to do so until the end of the school year.

The small, private school's middle and high school is at Moloaa,
which has 90 students in grades 7-12, Mireles said. Yesterday, he
spoke about the teachers with each class on the Moloaa campus.

"Never in our history have we had an incident like this," Mireles
added. "We are committed to a drug-free environment."

There have been four other teachers in the state arrested on drug
charges so far this school year. Two custodians were also arrested
on drug charges.

Kaelepulu Elementary School teacher Bronwyn Marie Kugle was arrested
on federal drug charges on Feb. 14.

Leilehua High School special-education teacher Lee Nobuo Anzai was
arrested in October on federal methamphetamine distribution charges.

Mililani Middle School teachers Benjamin Ayson and Lisa Luhrsen were
arrested in December for allegedly smoking marijuana near the school campus.