(CBS-DETROIT) – The superintendent of Fitzgerald Public Schools and another district administrator are facing multiple charges, including driving under the influence and smoking marijuana near school grounds.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office alleges that Chief Hollie Stange, 38, and food services director Amanda Caroll, 38, smoked marijuana in Carroll’s car on Dec. 20 at a shopping center near the corner of 9 Mile and Ryan Road and within 1,000 feet. of school grounds. Carroll and Stange reportedly left in separate vehicles.
Warren police stopped Stange and determined she was allegedly under the influence. Police also found a weapon in her car.
Stange was charged with possession of marijuana on school grounds, a two-year felony; possession of a weapon in a gun-free zone, a 93-day misdemeanor; and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, a 93-day misdemeanor.
Warren police also arrested Carroll and determined she was allegedly under the influence.
Carroll is charged with possession of marijuana on school grounds, a two-year felony; operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated second offense, a one-year misdemeanor; and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with an occupant under 16 years old, a one-year misdemeanor.
Stange and Carroll have been placed on leave pending an internal investigation and an ongoing criminal investigation.
In a statement on Facebook, Julia Yokel, chair of the Fitzgerald Public Schools Board of Education, said in part:
“The Fitzgerald Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously today to place District Superintendent Stange and Amanda Carroll on leave, effective immediately, pending our internal review and ongoing criminal investigation. Stange and Carroll were arrested Friday, December 20.
In addition, the Council has initiated the process to identify an interim Acting Superintendent and Director of Food Services while the review and investigation continues.
The school district is cooperating with local law enforcement and will continue to do so. We will provide additional details when they are available and appropriate to share.
At Fitzgerald Public Schools, we hold our employees to the highest standards of professional conduct and expect them to lead by example by adhering to our school values, policies and procedures.”
William Barnwell, an attorney representing Stange, made the following statement before Stange’s arraignment:
“My client is a dedicated educator and administrator with 20 years of service, herself a mother of two young children, and is legally presumed innocent of any charges to be released on Monday,” Barnwell said. “She will be vigorously defended and looks forward to her day in court.”
Stange and Carroll were arraigned Saturday and were each given an interim bond of $5,000. A bond hearing for both is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
“These allegations are deeply disturbing. These women are not only responsible for their own behavior, but are also charged with the well-being of our children. Engaging in alleged illegal drug use near school grounds and driving under the influence is a violation of that trust and puts our community in grave danger. We will pursue justice to ensure accountability and maintain the safety and integrity of our schools,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
Fitzgerald Public Schools is located in Warren and represents five schools, including three elementary schools and Fitzgerald High School.
