Talkingmonkey, optimism, is right. You need to live it and see it to know about it. That goes for almost anything! JMO JMO JMO

To Jill: Everyone has made mistakes and mistakes are something you learn from and from Katie's background she has not learned from her mistakes. Maybe she will learn from this one. I don't feel compassion for someone that you knowingly takes her "addiction" or choice to a place where there are children. I guess you are comfortable taking your children around such things, and that is your choice. But the rest of us were not given the luxury to make that choice. Katie made that choice for us with her inabililty to learn from her mistakes and resolve her issue. Shame on her and shame on the school district for having her there after her last issue.

" I am a firm believer until you understand from personal experience what a person is going through, you have no place to judge, give advice or have an opinion...."
Just because someone wasn't there doesn't mean they can't imagine what it would be like to have to go through something. Most people I know, however, simply choose not to because of fear of retribution from people who are hurting and will snap on them. Why should anyone standby and allow people to violate their first amendment rights? As far as judging is concerned, people DO change their minds whereas it takes an appeal to a higher court to reverse a judge's "opinion".
What would you do if you discovered that the world is sick and you were in a postion to help? Stand idly by and watch? I would sure hope not.

*advice* from..

people are only trying to 'shrink' out on here if they have NO CLUE what they are talking about. I am a firm believer until you understand from personal experience what a person is going through, you have no place to judge, give advice or have an opinion....and if our world as a whole would operate on this mentality level, it may be a much nicer place to live with less abusive relationships and ruined lives....some actually most people don't have the ability to dismantel what others tell them they are...or should do....we were taught to obey and not question authority our whole lives, and even if that authority is f'd up themselves some people just don't have it in them to question and have faith in their own selves... I am NOT a religious person by no means, I don't attend church (to me they are just a cult in sheeps clothing) but I do believe in my God, I have faith, therefore, I don't listen to preachers, but one person I have a huge amount of respect for is Joyce Meyers. Yes, she is a preacher, but just once, if you listen to her, she talks and teaches from personal pain and experiences...not from some divine bible teaching academy. She was molested and abused by her father among others, and still has the strenghth to be a kind generous being....she didn't use her upbringing as a crutch, and she is helping others to find out how to do that as well, yes, she chose God as her savior, but, she doesn't force HIM down your throat, she uses real life stories as her teachings....this is the same with my 'shrink' I go to...lol. I made sure she experienced hardship, which normally most shrinks do...that's why they seek that profession, from past experiences...but, be careful who you take advise from...

It isn't just for her. It's a forum for new ideas, principles and standards, a part of the art of communication in evolution. Among other things.

I guess I just get tired of everyone trying to be a shrink on here. I realize people are trying to help this young woman, but when will she have time to read all this? JMO

Defining mental illness is dependant on what people think "sick" is. Some people think that people who believe that there is a God are living in a fantasy world. On the other hand, there are those who think that people who don't believe there is a heaven and hell have a mental disease. Time for a psycho vote- a popular majority rules platform for a way of defining mental illness.

because a place of employment, especially one with a union, doesn't have the right or capability to go on assumptions. They were probably waiting for clarification as well...and when something is considered a medical condition, a place of employment can get in a huge amount of trouble/lawsuit for discriminating...and yes, this would be considered discrimination of health...because what she was doing wasn't a part of her daily routine at work, or at least wasn't caught at work, and until someone is caught doing something against company policy, reprimanding is impossible.

I have a question....if this was going on for a few weeks, why didn't the administration see this? Don't you think it would have been in the best interest of the children for this teacher not to be in school but to seek help? If the administration would have intervined, maybe the district wouldn't be in the spotlight now. I bet this wouldn't have even got to this point had McNeal stil been there. What's next for this district?

And...I don't believe people are trying to excuse or enable this woman, or any addict for that matter. The fact of the matter is, addiction is a sickness. It is a mental sickness that consumes the body...that turns into a physiological illness. I understand that a large portion of society doesn't accept mental illness as a medical condition, and until they do, this will always be like beating a dead horse. Like I KEEP SAYING, having dealt with an addict, and having an addictive personality and abusing things myself, the destructive behavior will not end until the problem at hand is dealt with that leads a person to such extremes...with being a person who has been dealt a pretty ugly hand throughout my life, I have never ever once played the pity card. I knew that it was and is up to me to correct problems that arise. Whether I choose to get on top of it right away, or feel sorry for myself and put it off until I've had enough of feeling that way, that's the point...it's until I CHOOSE! Not someone else. And it will never be. The same goes for any mental illness.....whether it be OCD, ADD, Panic Disorder, Anxiety, bipolar etc...until the person chooses to look for solutions to the lack of coping mechanisms....they will not get better. It is mind over matter and it has to be the individual's mind...not someone elses that tells them what to do and how to get better, they can suggest and lead, but the actions need to be asserted by the infected. I don't believe in crutches....those that use them, are just too weak or lazy to work at a better life and have no self respect or love. That is my opinion and I believe I have the right to that opinion because it is something I myself, have lived and experienced....not read about in a book or was told about.

And kid, I meant no offense. And thanks for the email yesterday!

Kid, how can you use the excuse that drug testing is too expensive? I am not talking about every occupation, I am talking about occupations that deal with children face to face in an every day situation. I am not talking pot, either. You can do a hair strand test for the harsher drugs. When I worked at the schools I was told to go for my physical and give a urine test. Naturally I thought it was a drug test, no problem. I get there and the only urine test they give you is for SUGAR in your urine. God forbid they get a diabetic working for them and have to pay the insurance. My sister also worked for the district longer than I did, so this has been debated between us for years. I can also see them being tested for alcohol, yes, alcohol. Who wants a drunk/doped up biology teacher doing experiments with chemicals!! Think about it. I have for a lot of years. I am not in any way on any of my post on this article cutting on this young lady. I am suggesting what the districts should do! JMO

well said optimisim-She has a problem. But in order for her to get help, she needs to admit to herself that she has a problem and want to get help. I've been down that road where I didn't want any help-didn't think I needed it. My family knew what was going on and yes they tried to help. But alas, I was to stupid to listen. Only by trial and error-major error-was I able to finally come to terms that I had a problem. With the support of my family that never gave up hope I was able to kick the habit. I'm hoping that her family even if they do know that she has a problem, won't give up on her. She's human just like the rest of us-prone to make mistakes. Let's give her our support instead of our negativity and hopefully by doing this she will recieve the help she needs.

USINGTHEBRAIN ~ it's called the bystander effect...it is something that come natural to human beings....there have been numerous studies on it...does it make it right? NO WAY, but it still is first instinct. I knew of her, had NO IDEAS of her issues, but now that this is all out in the open, I know a lot of people who associated with her, does this mean that I am suppose to call the police and give every single name I know that could possibly be a threat to the community? That just isn't feasible. And as far as friends and family whom are being accused of NOT doing anything, NOT helping her...etc....I would just like to add, first, if you have never had a close person addictted to something or nother, and have tried to help them when they don't want the help, you have NO FOOT TO STAND ON HERE...the ole...until you walk a mile...to those of you who have, you know, AS I DO FROM EXPERIENCE, the drug use of a friend or family who doesn't want help, will consume your being and you will end up not sleeping at night because you care more about the "drug induced" person than they do them selves. The drug is the only thing they will listen to. A person can only do so much....seriously. I walked into a situation with my brother with the thought I was going to save his life and save him from himself...didn't see any reason why I couldn't...there had to be something or someone out there to help me .... well, guess what? THere isn't. Trust me, I spent two years going up and down the channels....with nothing to show for it but a broken heart and a broken relationship. It isn't that easy to help and unwilling addict short of locking them up and keeping them under key. And we all know that we can't do that! AND obviously somebody did take action as far as her issues, did you miss the fact stated that they were investigating her on a 'T-I-P-?' Tip....I am thinking means giving information...but I spose I could be wrong, because as far as society is concerned there are no universal truths, as the perfect would like to believe~

I'd like to know how much money was spent investigating her, arresting her, and finally prosecuting her, all so that we can prove that there is a serious drug problem (sometimes described as a heroine problem, sometimes as a prescription drug problem, sometimes as both). Gazette then helps make this into a full-on problem that demands an escalation of the "war." In other words, more money will be needed to save our children from this scourge. Well, at least it employs some people, and gives them some high-tech toys too to play with.

I've got to say its a little scary how many people who are trying to excuse and enabled this person's actions because she was a good person who just needs a little more love.

People can make bad choices, but anyone who makes the choice to get involved with heroin is not someone who should be involved in a career working with children. Comparing the use of heroin to someone who has a drink or even someone who smokes pot on their own time is laughable.

I'm even more frightened that there are people here who claim to be her friend and family who knew about her addiction and her choices, knew she was a teacher in a high school, and still did nothing. They hide behind the claim that there was nothing they could do because she didn't want to get help, and that the people who are now commenting don't know what was going on in her life. So did any of these people who knew she was abusing hard drugs do anything to protect her students and the community by telling the school administration? No! Instead they sat back and did nothing, and it wasn't until she was so out of control that her actions caught the attention of law enforcement that anything was done.

To me, that's not showing love or compassion, that's just another case of people who don't care enough about others to get involved and do what's best for both this woman and the rest of the community.

I hope she gets help and can get her life turned around, but it will be a very long time before she will belong anywhere near a classroom.

Yep, you can tell when someone is a new poster on this site... They rail against negativity without knowing it's alot like pounding your head on the wall. On the plus side, eventually the head gets used to it, sorta like jumping into a pool of water that seems cold at first.

I am completely appalled by some of the comments I am reading on here. To "no" those demons are the ones that kill ones we love everyday. Suppose you have never had one to many beers and drove taking the chance of killing me or one of my kids??
To "greatdad" never made a mistake before? I hope not because when that day comes I hope no one has compassion for you "holier than thou great dad?" YOU DON"T THINK SHE IS SUFFERING??

Before you post your stupidity on here think of the kids, family, friends and everyone that is being affected by this and keep those negative comments to yourself.
To everyone that is so appalled by her being a bad role model. Why don"t we take a look at all the other teachers that hang out at the bar and drive home drunk? There are SEVERAL OF THEM!! Should they all be judged and ridiculed like this? Double standards run rampant in this society just because alcohol is legal doesn't mean that it doesnt kill just as many people as drugs.
I grew up with Katie and her kids are like my kids, she was a wonderful mother and person, that made alot of wrong choices and is now paying the consequences. She doesn't need everyone"s ridicule on top of everything else. She needs support and love, along with her family.

I am in complete shock from some of the comments that people have left on here! Oh and yes this is my first time posting on here (for those of you who feel that has anything to do with the relevance of the topic.) I cannot believe the people pointing fingers and saying these horrible things I hope when it comes down to your final judgement that you have begged for forgiveness I hope that all of you complaining about a teacher who was found to have drugs in her car have never tried drugs before from "smoking pot" to "taking one too many pain pills at a time when they are prescribed to you," or "borrowed a pain pill from a friend" Guess what if u have yes u have partaken in illegal drug activity guess maybe you should be randomly drug tested too!! Bring on the random drug tests maybe that should be a prerequsite to posting on stories like this maybe it would prevent some peoples rediculous comments! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends hopefully there is a good support system for them and I hope they never have to read some of the crude comments that you all have left!

what would we do if this was your neighbor? brother, sister, Mother, co-worker? school bus driver, Postal carrier, banker, nurse, dentist, grocer, etc.... so shes a teacher, its awful, but so is a parent addicted to drugs, or any of the others I listed above. She is a part of our community and what will we do about it? banish her from us? lock her up? I've not read one real solution here. Lets reach out and see how we can help her and others who may have problems or addictions. Don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution!.. And don't throw stones if you live in a glass house.

olliespearl: be honest...do you think more people on welfare abuse illegal drugs...or alcohol(the cheaper more readily available drug)?? to say we need to test welfare recipients for drugs shows that you have NOOO idea how much a drug test costs, or how easily it can be passed, and that you can read a forwarded email and repeat it without thinking twice about it. drug testing welfare recipients is easily the silliest most costly way to try and scare peeps from (illegal)drugs, that i have ever heard

excellent quote ehousewife:)

cheese: do you know how much one drug test costs?? why test people if there are ways to pass them. thats all im sayin. its not cost effective. find me a job that makes you take pee in a cup for employment and ill show you the average 5%ish that have THC in their system. not all drug tests are random. most are told to go here at a certain time. and in my opinion it is extremely unamerican. we are suppose to be a 'free' society based on the rights of the individual, as long as those rights dont encroach on others' rights. as long as my pilot is hurting no one with his actions at home, why do i care if he has a few cocktails?? or a joint?? or snorts a line?? if they leave it at home its nobodys business. no ones. this isnt russia. is this russia danny?? this isnt russia.

ffdeng163...."the Katie on drugs" is all that matters at this point. "Sweet and innocent" makes no difference.
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You also say, "I for one have known about Katie's drug problem for a very long time..." Excuse me?!! Did you try to get her out of teaching until it is fixed? If my wife or mother was a teaacher and had a 'drug problem', I would literally stop them from teaching until it was resolved! We scream about drug dealers in our schools, but it's okay to be hush hush about it if it's the teachers using...and heroin no less!
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I want her to get help, and most of these people keep sliding down anyway, I don't get it, but until that help is successful-no excuses!

and personally, I am glad she will HOPEFULLY be removed from my school district! A drug addict is one thing, but a manic depressant? That is just too much of a risk around children who stimulate your stress levels just by being children...

FFDENG ~ very well said! The Meilke's are an incredible bunch of people! I have very good friends who are in that family....it is sad that Katie gravitated towards the bad seeds....and yes, they have had MORE than their fair share of loss/troubles, and they just don't seem to ever get a break. I don't think that Katie should be associated with the Meilke name and gifts they all have....people need to remember she is only a meilke by marriage...

Lets all have a urine test before a job. Thats the last thing I want, is a drugged up or dealing teacher instructing my kids! While we are at it, how about all the poeple getting welfare! Hey its ur-ine or you're out!

I wasn't going to comment on this blog seeing as how I am part of the mielke Family but now I'm just totally upset by some the things people are saying on here! I for one have known about Katie's drug problem for very long time and its more then meets the eye here people! When someone has a problem like this an refuses help there is is nothing in your power that you can do as family to make a grown adult get help they have to want to have to do it! For those of you that have made comments about the family it was Katies choices(she an adult here) that got her into this trouble not her family! SO leave them out of it!I have been in this family for some time now and they have been thru there fair share of loss more then most people could endure in a life time and my husband still has a good head on his shoulders.which is more then some could say! I'm proud to be a wife of Mielke because if any of you knew them you would know that they have done more then their fair share of good for this community!
Back to Katie she is a very sick manic depressent. I really hope she get the help that she needs! I WILL STAND TO SAY I DON'T LIKE THE KATIE ON DRUGS BUT THE KATIE WITHOUT DRUGS IS A VERY SWEET AND GIVING PERSON. If this is what it take to get this Katie back then so be it. I hope she can get the help she need for her childrens sake.After all they are the ones that are going to be affected the most by this!

BRODHEADMOM...I agree with most of your post, and I as well, know from my own experiences as well as having almost every member of my family addicted to one thing or another...I still count my lucky stars that I have the strength (or obsession) to regain control of my life, and I also had very supportive friends, and family (my own made family), but, the key factor here is, I ASKED for the help and acknowledged I needed it. Most addicts won't and don't. Interventions are minimally effective because if the person doesn't want it themselves, or have the confidence in themselves or love themselves, others can not give that to them or do it for them....feeling sorry can only be for so long...because an addict will abuse that pity and twist it to support their needs/habits. I do know this from experience, so I am not being judgemental, nor nieve. At any rate, you speak about her family. I can most certainly assure you about 99% that the environment she married into probably contributed to what she got herself into...I can't say I know this absolutely for sure, but I would be willing to bet that it is the truth. There are extentions of the family she is a part of that are very very involved in drugs and are very close to her. I may be fortuneate enough to have the guilty consceince, and don't want to hurt myself or others, but sadly, others don't have that...and it is much easier for them to continue down the poor me path because fighting to be clean has never been claimed to be easy, and I do believe that a person with a severe issue (thank god I never did) would certainly think continuing to use would be much easier.... this can be compared to obesity in many ways.....the accomplishment of being on a diet or being clean are only successful per minute, per second, there isn't any instant gratification, the gratification has to be waited for, and for those that use a vice to get instant gratifcation, that is a very hard adjustment I am sure. I feel sad for her, for the pure fact that anyone who becomes so lost in the world of drugs is obviously a very sad person, and I hate to think of anyone going through life sad, but, people also need to man/woman up and stand up for themselves and say enough....the I feel sorry for's run out on repeat offenders....

I've read all the comments on here and it ranges from disbelief that a teacher in the distric could do this; to the feeling that it's her own life-who cares what she does. I'm concerned that while everyone wants to point a finger and accuse her of horrible acts, why hasn't anyone asked the question; what made her turn to drugs in the first place? If she had a problem before of using drugs, wouldn't it have shown to her family or friends? Probably not. It's rather easy to fool those around you that love you into thinking that you lead a perfectly "normal" life all the while be hiding a drug or alcohol problem. I'm more concerned that she get help than accusing her of ruining our kids life. I agree that as teachers, they do have an influence over what our children do and how they act but I also think that she needs the support of her family above all else and the support of her friends to kick the habit. It's not easy if you are addicted, whether it be to drugs or alcohol. So instead of ridiculing her, how about we give her our support. She was and still could be a fine teacher with the right help. I for one can relate to what she is going through having been there and done what she has done. It's not an easy road to go down but with the right kind of help and support she and we all can learn from this. Just keep in mind that if it were you being talked about, how would you react to all the negative comments that have and are still being posted about her?

Obviously, some people do not get the concept of living in a small town. This kind of stuff spreads overnight like wildfire. Trust me, before moving to a town of 5,000, I lived in a town of 500.

If we are going to drug test those in education, why not drug test all employees? Where do we draw the line when deciding what type of employees should be drug-tested? What happens when they pop positive? Are they assumed guilty, or are they allowed to prove that they are legally taking that drug? Remember, some of the most abused drugs in this country are used regularly and legally by millions! With our schools facing budget problems annually, is the money best spent drug testing its employees or educating our future leaders?

I can believe the comments posted here. About a third of the posters on here are new ones, first of all. And if you are a regular poster you would take the other ones with a grain of salt! I still, even though unionized, think all teachers, administration, custodians, aides, etc. should be atleast drug tested, maybe not alcohol, but illegal drugs. They are working with children, so do it!! We raid students lockers and cars and give random test while in sports. So why can't they all be drug tested if they have nothing to hide?

I simply cant believe some of the comments posted here. Some of the gazette readers really need to get better educated about drug addiction, school education & funding, the hiring process, and most importantly our laws and rights... And throw in a little compassion and understanding too. Anyone care to volunteer at a alcohol or drug rehab center?

Ah, how easy it is to sit on a pedestal and throw stones. Instead of playing the pious citizen, immediately judging and tearing down Katie, Brodhead, and each other, why not take a step back and show a slice of consideration for all of the lives this will affect and bite your acid tongues. Katie was a beautiful and intelligent girl. I went to school with her and played with her as a kid. I sincerely hope that this ordeal can change her life for the better, this is just very sad to see.

Maybe he was asking who hired her because Mr McNeal used to live in the Orfordville area and his kids attended school there...

Martin19 - why does it matter who hired her? How does that have anything to do with her having drugs? I know for a fact that if either one of them Mr. Lueck or Mr. McNeal knew she was doing drugs they would have never hired her!

JOESCHMO...I have to agree with you! There were so many pretty strong women of these communities that now look just horrid. It's sad. I have watched many people I know over the last 5 years go from beautiful inside and out to numbness on the inside and pure disaster on the outside. One person I saw not too long ago had the darkest black circles under her eyes I have ever seen! I at first thought it was make up. It is terrible what drugs do to a person. This is totally debatable and an easy place to hop on the fence, but as a person who has an addictive personality, and has done things in the past (nothing too drastic) that could have led me to a horrible place, I know that if you have the will to fight it, you can! I am proof of that! And for most, it is the easy way out....I don't say they don't deserve help, nor that they don't matter as individuals, but one has to love oneself first....there isn't any amount of UNDERSTANDING a friend or family member can do to help...in the long run it ends up resulting in enabling.

I will always remember Katie as being one of the toughest,most beautiful people I have ever known. That being said, I never would have recognized her from this picture. I wish you all could see a before and after photo, its absolutely amazing. I truly hope she finds the help she needs because she is a very intelligent woman who has a lot to live for.

Is the picture above from the school yearbook?

... and it would matter who hired her why?

Just curious if she was hired by Mr. Lueck or Mr. McNeal....

and yes, this woman does have a child (one that I know of) and he/she should have been her main concern, not her selfishness. This child is going to be the one who suffers the most out of this....yet another pattern set.

The first thing that popped into my head was how maybe she was framed. But then I saw her pic and now I am not so sure... Plus, the article said she had been investigated for several weeks prior. Wonder what their excuse was to pull her over...

Some of you make good examples of why birth control is necessary. The disgusting comments that come out are so cold hearted and judgmental. I don't know this woman, but she does have family and friends I'm sure. We don't know the whole story; it's sad that anyone gets hooked on drugs. It ruins lives and it kills. It kills children, men, and women. It kills relationships, employment, trust, love, etc. Hopefully, her arrest will lead her to a path of treatment and recovery. Most likely her teaching career will be over.

Liveandteach... DITTO'S to you!
thekid.... the idea of the drug test is to NOT give you 2 hours notice, and I have no idea why a drug test is "unAmerican". Personally I would like to know that the person flying the plane I'm boarding isn't high or drunk... so test away!
I hope this woman finds help for her issues, in the mean time there will be a price to pay for her mistakes.

So here we have a teacher who made a terrible mistake. Many of you are assuming that she is an addict. Why don't we wait until they investigate to find out if this is true or not?

GMRETIREDNOW: shame on you for lumping this situation in with the failed referendum. These are two totally separate issues. This could have happened to any teacher in any district. When a teacher gets arrested for sexual misconduct does that make all teachers in that district pedophiles or the district terrible? I think not. Please do not allow your personal feelings to override common sense. You make it sound as though the referendum was needed to help foster bad habits. Evidently, you have a very personal vendetta against Brodhead. I am sure that we would all be shocked at some of the hobbies and habits of our fellow employees. Does that make them right? No, but it is sooooo comforting to know that those of you tearing her and Brodhead apart live such perfect lives and have no shame that you can belittle. Please keep in perspective what is happening here. Do not assume that all teachers are like this. Every profession has those who are good and bad.

Finally, it does make it easier to find arguments more credible when the reader is able to understand them. This is not meant to any one poster, but sometimes it is almost comical trying to decipher comments here!

drug and alcohol tests as a requirement to employment is extremely un american. high or drunk at work you have problems yes. do what you want in your own home its no ones business. no ones.

drug tests are not cheap and for the most part are a complete waste of time. proof?? i could pass a thc test if you give me a couple hours notice...and i may not even need that much time...

Jetski, I cannot believe your post!! That is an idiotic view to this societal problem. Are you related to her? The main point to this article is DRUG AND ALCOHOL TEST ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. What is so hard about that? So it cost alittle more, it keeps our children out of harms way and your name out of the paper! Also about farmers not being educated, do you really think so? Think again, I wouldn't know the first thing about planting fields, harvesting, marketing, selling. Besides all the other factors, milking, raising animals, etc. Most farmers have a degree or were in the FFA (Future Farmers of America).

It amazes me how a teacher does something wrong and it is all over the newspaper and the citizens of Janesville criticize the heck out of that teacher for making a bad decision. There are probably drug addicts in every career in this city that are not in the newspaper. Oh, you say, "but they are with our children all day" hhmmm when it comes to teacher salary and contract negotiations, an overwhelming majority of people don't care so much about how a teacher works so closely with your children. So who cares if she is an addict or not, why is it in the paper?

i know you meant illegal drugs. thats one of the fundamental flaws in our society that the risks of drug use are defined by legal/illegal status. its the most mixed message we can send to our youth. and then we are surprised when they use. this drug is ok cuz its legal, even though it kills more people than all other drugs combined, yet this drug is bad cuz its illegal. update: when used responsibly any drug can be recreational and when used irresponsibly any drug can be a problem. it has nothing to do w what uncle sam classifies as legal or illegal.

do you think if teachers are caught consuming alcohol in an illegal manner that they should also be suspended??

Hoopsfan said it best so far. Feel sorry for her or not your choice but lets not pretend this is a one and only first time deal. Users and abusers go to great lengths to hide their additions until they finally slip up. I feel bad for the kids involved but excuses are just like other body parts everyone has one. Bad break up; been there done that, just like lots of other people have and yet have not chosen to turn to illegal drugs..she could have just as easy gone in to seek help...she chose not to. she could have acknowledged she had a problem and taken care of it before an arrest happened. chose not to do that either..she didn't have to tell anyone she needed help and taken time off for treatment..she didn't chose that either..my opinion, is her addiction was getting so out of control it was clouding her judgement. I'm sorry she's well education and was a fine teacher..she ruined that herself like several others before her.. live and learn, even if you have to do that the hard way. It's not like her life is over just because she will never be a teacher again (I hope not) but she could put her education and addiction together and help others with after she gets herself together. I was offended to read the comments about farmer and manual labor. I had a relative that was a farmer and he was college educated. Addiction does not only affect one class of society it affects all; proven every single day..we can only use this to teach our children why we ask they to never even try illegal drugs of any kind..after all one drug (including alcohol) leads to others.

Drug addiction is serious, and it is comparable to a disease in many cases; however, she made the choice to use alcohol/drugs recreationally long before she was addicted. The first time you choose to ingest heroic, understand the potential consequences...

Sorry. I guess I should have said illegal drug users. Alcohol can certainly be abused. But it's still legal and (let's face it) doesn't carry the stigma that heroin does. How do you look a kid in the face and tell him that his teacher is a heroin user and that you're (as a parent) ok with that?

"Gee Dad, I only took a LITTLE heroin. AND it was AFTER school, not during."

'Drug users have no place teaching our kids. Period'

i hope you are including alcohol in that statements...since after all it is a drug. seriously, do you think more teachers in this country abuse alcohol or all other drugs combined??

as someone stated before, there is a huge difference between a user and an abuser. i dont care what drug you use recreationally on your own time(use) but dont let it control your life or your decisions(abuse).

That's not the point. Nothing at all wrong with manual labor. But there's less and less of a requirement for it now, and some of those kids want to go to an institute of higher education. That'll be much more difficult without advanced classes. Too often, and it's common among budget-crunched schools, the advanced classes are the first to get cut. Remedial classes are required in order to maintain graduation rates. But nobody seems to value the percentage of graduates who go on to gain a university education.

We could "be little farmers" but that makes it hard to throw hay bales.

If we talk down about them we could belittle them though.....

maybe we can be little farmers next, they don't need to be big ont he book learning either

something wrong with driving a forlift or a tractor? I'm sure he made enough money to provide for his family driving a forklift at gm. Nothing wrong with a honest living.

Like it or not, teachers DO have a special influence over our kids. By now, the student body at BHS knows ALL about this. Can you imagine how useful she'd be in a classroom tomorrow? About as useful as a screendoor in a submarine.

@nola: Don't mind gmretired. He drove a fork truck for a living. Obviously no need of a college education there. Small wonder he doesn't value it for anyone else.

we all bring our personal lives with us.. not saying she used drugs in front of the kids. But i can't believe that this didn't effect her abililty to do her job

Thank you. She has no place in a school. An I am glad that she will no longer be there

WOOWW.
okay, so for "gmretirednow", do you even understand what you're saying? you ruined many a child, and not to mention the communities, futures!
and secondly, i was an aide for this particular teacher, and never once had drugs, alcohol, or other things pertaining to been mentioned. She was a close friend, and i respected her. She may have faced some problems, yes, but she never mixed them in with her teachings. and not to mention, the principal here, along with other teachers have had other problems, as well such as DUI's.
she isn't the only one here with problems, and again for you who said ":thank goodness we voted no"
Their personal lives have nothing to do with their teaching lives.

Debating whether addiction is a disease or not is pointless. Whether it is or isn't, relapse and recidivism are all too likely with drug users for them to be entrusted with our kids.

Drug users have no place teaching our kids. Period.

cancer is not a chioce. Bad chioces are not medical conditions. I feel bad for her children. I feel bad for the children, our children, that were intrusted to her to be a role model and a teacher. Let put thing in perspective, the people to feel bad for are those effected by her chioces, her children and ours. She made her chioces. My children and hers are the ones that suffered for it. Not her

LMAO, thank you "no"..I was thinking the same thing!

Heard she is going through a family break up so I imagine that has a lot to do with it. No matter what, I do feel bad for her family.

*Addiction problems are a disease. A health problem as bad as cancer.*

This is one of the most preposterous things I've ever read...until your next sentence which somehow tied together domestic violence into the whole poorly-thought out mix.

She is an adult and made her choices. I feel addiction or not, she chose to do the things she did. I hope that she gets everything she deserves. She was trusted to be a role model for children. And with disgard for the children she was trusted with she made these chioces. Addiction starts with a chioce, its not a medical condition. I am sorry if i have no compation for someone that brought this around our children.

*"This woman WAS a wonderful person, teacher, friend until she was introduced into the world of addiction. For those of you that are fortunate to never have to battle those demons " *

Are these demons like those gremlins from the old Bugs Bunny cartoon? Do they sneak up on your and shoot the heroin into your veins? Or blow it up your nose?

Enough excuses, already, sheesh.

1.Reading, 2.Writing, 3.Math, 4.how to get a job and keep it and 5.how to be a non drug abuser are the necessary classes to be taught. Much less money spent, much more learning going on and a better future adult. (of course only my opinion)

Nice. I suppose now this will become an excuse to drop Spanish from the curriculum. They've apparently already dropped Journalism as a result of the failed referenda (inside knowledge).

"District should have asked for a drug test long ago, very true, but they don't!"

Jillhatlevig(first post by her by the way)
"This woman WAS a wonderful person, teacher, friend until she was introduced into the world of addiction. For those of you that are fortunate to never have to battle those demons " That is true, but she is involved with kids and will never, ever live this one down!

Senior,(3 posts, all on this article) not being the grammar police, but it should be addict not attic.

Gmretired "did not check out her credentials", sure they did, they just didn't drug test her!
These are all JUST MY OPINION, but I do know that Janesville doesn't drug test, so why should Brodhead?

jc, you have very valid points. There are many decision makers in our lives who probubly have never had a drug test. Something to think about for sure. Thanks for the insight!

Addiction is a disease, yes, but I do not think that it is comparable to cancer. With one option you usually have the choice and the other you don't so quit making excuses for drug users.

bigdaddy1, we need spanish-speaking Americans more than ever! We need at least another 100,000 of them yelling "Manos Arribas! La 'Migra!" over the top of their gun sights while waving their badges in the states bordering Mexico alone.

I don't know if this teacher was stupid (aka using heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone "recreationally") or if her problem started with a legitimate pain pill prescription, but anyone qualified to be a teacher should be smart enough not to use heroin.

As far as drug testing, I want it to be fair for teachers like I want it to be fair for other employees. If the teachers will be tested (and they should be) so should everyone in the school district administration and on the school board.

In other businesses, I feel if drug testing is required for the workers, in addition to being required for all levels of management, all owners that have a say in the business - voting stockholders AND proxies should also be tested. If the company thinks they have a right to have the fork truck driver tested for marijuana for safety issues, they should acknowledge that the workers have a right to know those who might sell or merge the company or move the factory to China or the Philippines have been tested to be sure they aren't snorting cocaine before making business decisions, so workers can make fully informed career choices.

dogs rule- Drug addiction is not a disease, you cant compare it to cancer. No one chooses to get cancer, but people CHOOSE to do drugs. I like having a job, my house, a nice car to drive, and to watch my child grow up, so I CHOOSE not to do drugs. I was educated long ago about the seriousness and addiction of drugs, so I chose not to try them. You're not born addicted to drugs, therefore you have a choice not to become an addict. I'm tired of people like you being so nieve about this issue. Open your eyes and quit giving pitty on these people. Who's going to pay for all this rehab that you think is going to work? You? I alreay pay enough taxes to buy myself a new car each year, so I'm tapped out and tired of paying for everyones free ride.

btowngirl: "you don't even know that she WAS a drug addict then. You are making alot of assumptions here."
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Where in this article does it state she is a drug addict? Appears you are making ASSumptions. The article states she "was arrested Monday on charges accusing her of possessing heroin, oxycodone and hydrocodone.
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Possession and Consumption are 2 totally different things.

yes our union did allow it. As a materials operator driving fork trucks and other various motorized vehicles we had to have those tests. As for others on the line, yes if they were acting weird, we were given a test also. Bottom line is, I hope she can get her life straightened out now and get the help she needs.

at least jail time will sober her up.

Yeah, cuz we all know there is no drug use in prison. And to all those who blast the hiring process, maybe she bacame a drug user after being hired in 2004 - how do we know?

gmretirednow: She was hired by the district in 2004...you don't even know that she WAS a drug addict then. You are making alot of assumptions here. And as for the drug testing, the teachers have a union....did your union allow random drug testing??

Until people open their eyes and see what this for what it is,it will continue to ruin peoples lives. Addiction problems are a disease. A health problem as bad as cancer. You certainly wouldn't slap your wife and lock her up if she came home from the Dr. and said she had cancer would you? NO! You would get the medical treatment and support she deserves.

@btown, you know my questions I asked at the meetings were not answered at all, more of less skirted around so therefore a NO vote. A drug addicted teacher to me means the board and whoever hired her did not check out her credentials and the school should have random drug testing on teachers and students.

if my teacher wasnt a drug ADDICT i would be able to spell it right

gmretirednow: what does a drug addicted teacher have to do with our school referendum???

now what does a person building autos have to do with drug addict teachers in Brodhead? I guess I need to take some teacher schooling to figure that out. The classes I attended with 30 kids per class and no aides must of been all wrong! duh.

Senior-Senior in high school? If so, all your teachers must have been on crack. Drug ADDICT, not "attic". Whos? I sincerely hope you are joking.

Justrun - Please fill us in... Who are the rest of the drug dealers? If you know you should say!

Whenever a story like this comes out, it seems the story is often the same. He/She is an intelligent person who has made some bad choices and is now dealing with a full on addiction. I could not imagine what it would take to get that monkey off your back. Not a shocker to Wisconsin, there was a story last year of a teacher in Walworth County that was caught on the school grounds with Heroin and Cocaine.

What a shame.

so now drug attics can tell us what to do

Hopefully, the kids get the biggest lesson of this... it doesn't pay to handle drugs or take them.

so this whos teaching us a drug attic

right on bigdaddy. ljs is a ball of negativity and ive seen them spell words wrong in posts where they were correcting someones spelling. fyi ljs...THAT is what a hypocrite is...

That's right, gmretired, thanks to the message of stick it to the schools that people like you send to your communities, now those who apply for teaching jobs in Broadhead won't just be so bottom of the barrel as to include only alleged drug addicts, but maybe now the school district can expect applications exclusively from hardcore criminals and/or the completely unqualified. After all, who cares, they're just taking care of the children. It's not like they're doing something important, like screwing overpriced autos together!

yes for sure Brodhead schools need more money. ya right!! Thank goodness we all voted NO!

Thank you Ijs64 I hit the wrong button on spell check. Before you start cutting people down go back and read your post. I will never cut down somebody on grammar or spelling because I stink my self. You may want to follow the same thing.

Molly, calm down. The article was recently updated, that is why it says UPDATED. The first version of this article didn't mention any of that information.

Do any of you actually read the article BEFORE posting a comment? It gave where she worked and the postition she held in the FIRST sentence! Wake up....

If she were a child give her the help of rehabilitation for a drug problem, but she's not she's an adult give her time in jail and or probation. She's capable of making decisions good and bad, and also capable of understanding what the consequences are.

at least jail time will sober her up.

This woman was a WONDERFUL person, teacher, friend until she was introduced into the world of addiction. For those of you that are fortunate to never have to battle those demons you are lucky. She needs HELP. People are so quick to brush things under the rug instead of dealing with them head on. Now maybe people will listen and take action when someone you love needs help. Now it is too late for her. I hope for her sake her intelligence kicks in and she will learn to conquer her addiction.

'Who cares what her position is. What difference does that make?'

is this your post?? i havent smoked a bowl in the mean time so im not as focused as id like to be. are these your words ljs?? cuz that sort of seems like you are implying that someone is wrong for even asking the question. im also guessing that based on this brief convo you have no idea what hypocrite means. if im a hypocrite in this situation that would mean that im blasting you for following up a more than valid question with a more than ignorant one and then doing the same thing myself. you see, im actually the opposite of a hypcrite since in this situation i made a valid post in reply to a completely ignorant one.

bigdaddy1 sure cannot WRITE English....Jeez
"speach engish" SPEAK English
"Tax payers" Taxpayers (1 word)
"any ways" anyways (1 word)
"Broadhead" Brodhead

they can cut Spanish now if you want to be in the USA you speach engish. Tax payers should not be paying for this class any ways.
But to the person who was upset with the paper telling she was from Broadhead and was a teacher, if I was a parent I would want to know. Its called public records. Just looking at her picture the school District should have ask for a drug test long ago. Thats right they have a union backing them up they don't care about the safety of the kids

butteryfly1985

I'm proud to say I'm from Brodhead and I'm proud to say I graduated from Brodhead as well. This person that made the wrong choices is not from Brodhead anyways, she is from the Orfordville-Footville area! Go Cardinals!!!

Makes me proud to be from Brodhead, NOT!

"does this lady answer the phone in the office or is she the health teacher teaching our kids how to make healthy choices."
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I never stated that anyone is/was wrong.
*****
Go smoke a bowl and eat some cheetos......Hypocrite.....

Well, look on the bright side, getting rid of her should help the district's budget issues.

cw...your second post kind of contradicts your first post

'This woman needs help not jail she is an addict and I hope they help her'

well said carlitosway. the war on drugs is a failure because drug use/abuse is a public health concern NOT A CRIMINAL ONE.

its a more than valid question. does this lady answer the phone in the office or is she the health teacher teaching our kids how to make healthy choices. someone is not wrong for making that inquiry. people who question that inquiry however, their intelligence should normally be questioned but in this case its not necessary since no one on here is ever going to question the intelligence of ljs....or lack there of as the case seems to be...

Just wanted people to know how well our Legal system looks at the seriousness of the problems in our community. HEROIN has taken to many lives and it needs tougher laws. Just my opinion

"Thank God she was busted before someone's child died!"
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Are you kidding me? Why is that the standard response for everything?
*******
It does not matter if she is a teacher or not, this arrest is all happening after the fact.

It doesn't matter what her position is/was at the school. The issue remains that serious drugs were in her possession and she had access to dozens of kids. Thank God she was busted before someone's child died!

It may not be. Many employers offer help to addicts, and hold thier position pending treatment, and ongoing counciling.

must have had alot of aches and pains

8th grade Spanish, according to school website.

in defense of queenb's question, apparently the writer thought it was important enough to mention she was a brodhead school employee in THE HEADLINE of the story.

Who cares what her position is. What difference does that make?