WARREN (WWJ) -- A schools superintendent in Macomb County is facing several charges, after police said she was caught with marijuana and a gun in her car near a school.
Fitzgerald Public Schools Superintendent Hollie Stange, 38, and Food Services Director Amanda Carroll, 38, were arrested on Friday after police said they were smoking together at a plaza at 9 Mile and Ryan roads, within 1,000 feet of school grounds. They smoked together in Carroll's vehicle, according to investigators, before leaving in separate cars.
Both women got pulled over by Warren Police officers, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, and both were accused of driving under the influence.
Stange — who had a gun in the car, according to police — was charged with Possession of Marijuana on School Grounds, a two year high court misdemeanor, Possession of a Weapon in a Weapon Free Zone, a 93-day misdemeanor, and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, a 93-day misdemeanor.
Carroll was charged with Possession of Marijuana on School Grounds, a two year high court misdemeanor, Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated Second Offense, a one year misdemeanor, and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated with an Occupant less than 16 years old, a one year misdemeanor.
Both women were placed on leave from the school district after an unanimous vote by the school board.
Both appeared in Warren District Court arraignments Monday afternoon.
"These allegations are deeply troubling. These women are not only responsible for their own conduct but are entrusted with the well-being of our children," Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said. "Engaging in alleged illegal drug use near school property and driving under the influence is a betrayal of that trust and puts our community at significant risk. We will pursue justice to ensure accountability and uphold the safety and integrity of our schools."
Bond for each defendant was set at $5,000 cash/surety, which was already posted over the weekend, with the condition that she have no contact with the school or school grounds unless directed to do so by the school board or for child pickup. The women were also ordered not to use drugs or alcohol, with random testing twice a week, and limited contact with each other. In addition to these conditions. Stange was ordered not to use or posses any firearms.
Fitzgerald Public Schools represents five schools in the southwest part of Warren: three elementary schools, PD Chatterton Middle School and Fitzgerald Senior High School.
The school district said the school board is conducting an internal review of the incident and is "communicating and cooperating with law enforcement.” “Please know that this incident does not reflect the vast majority of our administrators, teachers and support staff who work tirelessly each day to provide a world-class education," a statement by the district said.
Editor's note: The initial release by the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office stated that the charge of Possession of Marijuana on School Grounds was a two-year-felony. A corrected release was later issued stating that the charge is a high- court misdemeanor — a third category of crime, which falls between a misdemeanor and a felony. These crimes are generally less less serious than true felonies, but carry a longer prison sentence than a misdemeanor.