Teacher placed on leave following student drug citation

A Talawanda Middle School teacher has been placed on administrative leave following backlash on social media after two students received juvenile citations for marijuana possession.

According to a police report, two students were cited after exchanging a black fanny pack in front of the school resource officer. The officer detected a strong scent of marijuana and and found a quarter ounce of marijuana in a clear plastic bag inside the fanny pack. One of the students then told the principal that he intended to sell the drug.

At one point, the report states that "the pack was given to [the student] by a teacher" because "the odor was so strong." The incident occurred Nov. 13, and the teacher was placed on leave Nov. 18.

"The district has become aware that information surrounding this incident and students, has been discussed on social media and among community members," an official statement from the district reads. "The district is aware that some of the information reported on social media is inaccurate." The statement does not describe which information is inaccurate but goes on to discuss the importance of student confidentiality.

Holli Hansel, communications director for the district, said the district doesn't share conclusions until investigations close. She did not have a timeline for the investigation.

"It was brought to our attention over the weekend that community members were discussing students," Hansel said, "and student information is confidential."

Earlier this month, the district also placed a Talawanda High School teacher on administrative leave for posting a political video that may have been filmed on school property to social media.