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Teacher free on bond
By Jamie Nash
A Splendora Independent School District first-grade teacher facing drug charges posted $50,000 bail and was released early Thursday from the Montgomery County Jail.
Elena Ducoing’s arrest on cocaine and marijuana charges came just six days after law enforcement arrested a Montgomery Independent School District kindergarten teacher on charges of methamphetamine possession as she left school property. Both incidents shocked Montgomery County leaders and raised questions about mandatory drug testing for teachers.
Ducoing’s husband Robert Munoz was arrested Sept. 22 on the same charges at their home in Conroe following a six-month investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit. Ducoing was not home at the time of her husband’s arrest, said Lt. Philip Cash, head of the SIU. Bail for the couple was higher than that for a typical third-degree felony bond amount because Munoz and Ducoing are potential flight risks, Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Sylvia Yarborough said.
Officers took Ducoing into custody at Greenleaf Elementary School, immediately after students were released from class, on arrest warrants stemming from a Sept. 30 indictment.
She was not terminated from her job, but Ducoing was suspended with pay until her case advances through the legal system, school officials said. The Montgomery ISD terminated Weaks immediately after her arrest.
Splendora ISD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Price sent a letter home with Greenleaf students informing parents about the arrest.
“These alleged charges are not in any way linked to school,” the letter stated. “A qualified, long-term substitute teacher will be employed to continue the high-quality education for our children.”
Splendora Mayor Wayne Carley said he was “shocked, to say the least,” upon learning about Ducoing’s arrest.
“I have zero tolerance for smoking, for alcohol and for drugs for anybody who’s going to be a role model for kids,” Carley said. “I think they should throw the book at her.”
Carley also was appalled, he said, to learn that, like many other districts, SISD does not test teachers for drugs.
“It’s a failure in the system,” he said.
Teachers should be tested upon hiring, Carley said, and then randomly throughout the school year. The city of Splendora follows that policy for its employees.
The mayor was not the only one talking about the teacher’s arrest.
Faye Sitton, who co-owns Sitton’s Quick-Stop with her husband, said Ducoing’s arrest was the hot topic for discussion in her store Thursday.
“People are very disappointed that someone like that could be a school teacher,” Sitton said.
The consensus, she said, was that all schools should drug test all teachers.
SISD does not test teachers for drugs prior to employment, but applicants must consent to a criminal background check. A search of public records does not reflect Ducoing had a criminal history.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating Ducoing and Munoz, Cash said. The couple have three school-age children, so law enforcement contact Child Protective Services, he said.
CPS did not take custody of the children and have no public record on them, spokeswoman Gwen Carter said Thursday.
Elena Ducoing’s arrest on cocaine and marijuana charges came just six days after law enforcement arrested a Montgomery Independent School District kindergarten teacher on charges of methamphetamine possession as she left school property. Both incidents shocked Montgomery County leaders and raised questions about mandatory drug testing for teachers.
Ducoing’s husband Robert Munoz was arrested Sept. 22 on the same charges at their home in Conroe following a six-month investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit. Ducoing was not home at the time of her husband’s arrest, said Lt. Philip Cash, head of the SIU. Bail for the couple was higher than that for a typical third-degree felony bond amount because Munoz and Ducoing are potential flight risks, Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Sylvia Yarborough said.
Officers took Ducoing into custody at Greenleaf Elementary School, immediately after students were released from class, on arrest warrants stemming from a Sept. 30 indictment.
She was not terminated from her job, but Ducoing was suspended with pay until her case advances through the legal system, school officials said. The Montgomery ISD terminated Weaks immediately after her arrest.
Splendora ISD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Price sent a letter home with Greenleaf students informing parents about the arrest.
“These alleged charges are not in any way linked to school,” the letter stated. “A qualified, long-term substitute teacher will be employed to continue the high-quality education for our children.”
Splendora Mayor Wayne Carley said he was “shocked, to say the least,” upon learning about Ducoing’s arrest.
“I have zero tolerance for smoking, for alcohol and for drugs for anybody who’s going to be a role model for kids,” Carley said. “I think they should throw the book at her.”
Carley also was appalled, he said, to learn that, like many other districts, SISD does not test teachers for drugs.
“It’s a failure in the system,” he said.
Teachers should be tested upon hiring, Carley said, and then randomly throughout the school year. The city of Splendora follows that policy for its employees.
The mayor was not the only one talking about the teacher’s arrest.
Faye Sitton, who co-owns Sitton’s Quick-Stop with her husband, said Ducoing’s arrest was the hot topic for discussion in her store Thursday.
“People are very disappointed that someone like that could be a school teacher,” Sitton said.
The consensus, she said, was that all schools should drug test all teachers.
SISD does not test teachers for drugs prior to employment, but applicants must consent to a criminal background check. A search of public records does not reflect Ducoing had a criminal history.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating Ducoing and Munoz, Cash said. The couple have three school-age children, so law enforcement contact Child Protective Services, he said.
CPS did not take custody of the children and have no public record on them, spokeswoman Gwen Carter said Thursday.
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Reader Comments
Whiskyecho wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:38 AM:
" This reads like the Sunday Funny Paper.
"..because Munoz and Ducoing are potential flight risks.." Ummmmm, if they're looked upon as "potential flight risks" why are they offered the right to post bail ?
and then..
"..Carley also was appalled, he said, to learn that, like many other districts, SISD does not test teachers for drugs.." Ummmmm, shouldn't the Mayor of a town KNOW what the ISD policies do and don't do ? This dolt should be run outta town !
Good grief - remind me to never "visit" Splendora "
"..because Munoz and Ducoing are potential flight risks.." Ummmmm, if they're looked upon as "potential flight risks" why are they offered the right to post bail ?
and then..
"..Carley also was appalled, he said, to learn that, like many other districts, SISD does not test teachers for drugs.." Ummmmm, shouldn't the Mayor of a town KNOW what the ISD policies do and don't do ? This dolt should be run outta town !
Good grief - remind me to never "visit" Splendora "
CherokeeToo wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:08 AM:
" ohceyksihw are you on oxygen therapy??? If you are so intelligent and concerned driver, where have you been voting for the last 30 years? This country has bent itself in a 360 trying to comfort ALL people living here. NOT THE CITIZENS!! Your votes have given voice to the ones in office who have voted the paperwork that makes sure no ones civil rights are violated, equal treatment under the law, right to a jury of their peers etc etc blah blah blah. So - whether or not you are good/evil, criminal/innocent, citizen/alien......get it??? And if you drug test the teachers -- who's going to teach? It's tough enough to get teachers to sign on for the craplevel pay they recieve as it is and then stay?? ha! I would bet the level of alcohol and THC would blow your minds if you test teachers, administrators, custodial, police and support staff. I'm not saying it is right - just where do you want to start the process? We as a country have put ourselves in this position. We don't want to appear to be unjust or hurt anyone's feelings or look prejudiced ---- and we have sold our rights in doing so. "
Willis68 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:12 AM:
" CherokeeToo~ Do you have kids? Would you rather have somebody like Weaks or Ducoing teaching or have a few extra kids per class? What b/c teachers don't get paid a bundle of $$ they shouldn't have to be drug tested? Because they are hard to get signed on? What makes teachers so different? They deal with CHILDREN! More reason for them to be drug tested! Every job I have ever had I had to do a drug test and background check! My husband makes $70,000/year and he had to have a drug test. I'm sorry but it infuriates me that some people make excuses for this. It's inexcusable! My best friend and her husband are teachers in a bad school district at that and the worst they do is a have a drink...on the weekends! It's not that bad being a school teacher and the starting pay for a teacher isn't that bad! Stop defending these criminals and making excuses for why teachers shouldn't have to do something the rest of America does. "
paulmack wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:14 AM:
" The 8th Amendment of the US Constitution prohibits excessive bail, which of course, infers that bail shall be granted. Further, Article 1, Section 11 of the Texas Constitution grants the right to bail to ALL defendants except those charged with a capital offense. Obviously, the teacher was not charged with a capital offense. Further, Article 1, Section 13 prihibits that bail from being excessive. So, how does a court determine if bail is excessive? The factors a trial court should consider in setting bail are set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. § 17.15. They are:
1.The bail shall be sufficiently high to give reasonable assurance that the undertaking will be complied with.
2.The power to require bail is not to be used as an instrument of oppression.
3.The nature of the offense and the circumstances of its commission are to be considered.
4.The ability to make bail is to be regarded, and proof may be taken on this point.
5.The future safety of a victim of the alleged offense and the community shall be considered.
So, in essence, bail should be sufficiently high to ensure appearance in court but not so high that the defendant can't afford it.
Hope this answers your question, WhiskyEcho. The simplified answer to your question, of course, is that we live in America and not Communist China. "
1.The bail shall be sufficiently high to give reasonable assurance that the undertaking will be complied with.
2.The power to require bail is not to be used as an instrument of oppression.
3.The nature of the offense and the circumstances of its commission are to be considered.
4.The ability to make bail is to be regarded, and proof may be taken on this point.
5.The future safety of a victim of the alleged offense and the community shall be considered.
So, in essence, bail should be sufficiently high to ensure appearance in court but not so high that the defendant can't afford it.
Hope this answers your question, WhiskyEcho. The simplified answer to your question, of course, is that we live in America and not Communist China. "
CherokeeToo wrote on Oct 10, 2008 10:19 AM:
" Willis68, no one is defending the criminals. Just stating fact, making conjecture and pointing out we have placed ourselves and yes our children in this position. As far as your husband's company drug testing---don't believe everyone who takes and passes is really clean. Have your cruised the net on the millions of ways to beat the system. Just like everything else - the system can be beaten and is flawed. And if your friends worst trick is a few drinks on the weekend why defend them? There are plenty of others in schools across the districts here who have more than a few and they certainly don't wait for the weekend. I've worked for over 40 years and never have been asked to submit to a drug test. Public and private sector, federal and state government, school districts and major corporations. But I haven't anything to hide either and haven't given any one cause to ask and btw all of these jobs were in AMERICA. My children are a product of a local school district. One teacher was convicted as a child predatorm two teachers were quietly released from contract because of substance abuse another was released because of inappropriate behavior. All of my children are successful, unscathed, unscarred and hardly remember those instructors. If the child is not a part of the crime they generally take what was good in their memory and grow. Find the problems, fix the problems and move on. "
Willis68 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 10:33 AM:
" I wasn't defending my friends, I was stating that there are good honest people out there teaching.
I just don't think that it's fair that just b/c teachers are in high demand that they shouldn't have to submit to someting that ok not ALL of us have to but alot of us do. I don't mind, I have nothing to hide and wouldn't know the first thing about fooling the system. I'm sure there are plenty of people who do though, I am not blind to that. I'm not saying that these individuals are harming the students but their judgement in my opinion is flawed and why would you want someone like that being role models for students? I just think there should be a zero tolerance policy for drug use and there should be actions to weed the violators out. That's my opinion. I understand everyone has a different opinion so please don't think I was personally attacking you. "
I just don't think that it's fair that just b/c teachers are in high demand that they shouldn't have to submit to someting that ok not ALL of us have to but alot of us do. I don't mind, I have nothing to hide and wouldn't know the first thing about fooling the system. I'm sure there are plenty of people who do though, I am not blind to that. I'm not saying that these individuals are harming the students but their judgement in my opinion is flawed and why would you want someone like that being role models for students? I just think there should be a zero tolerance policy for drug use and there should be actions to weed the violators out. That's my opinion. I understand everyone has a different opinion so please don't think I was personally attacking you. "
C2FlyGirl wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:22 PM:
" Most teachers would welcome the drug testing. The one problem that most of you don't realize is that there are bad apples in every bunch. These few bad apples are not the core of our education, even in a "bad" district. If that were the case, then you would have to say that every baseball player, football player, lawyer, doctor, house wife, etc. were bad and our children need to be protected from everyone.
Yes, it makes me angry to know that there are teachers out there doing things that they should not. It also makes me angry to KNOW that there are people that guard inmates (not commisioned deputies) or work for companies that run prisons that should be in jail themselves and not responsible for the inmates security, especially if their spouse is in jail, but that will continue to be what happens because the MORALS and VALUES of society are not near where they need to be and we are not making them a priority. When we will allow someone to lie steal and cheat to get anything they want, then we will continue to get this kind of garbage for public servants which is what a teacher is. Look long and hard at yourself and the people that you associate with...if you are instilling morals and values in your family and children, then congratualtions. Hopefully you will be blessed with an upstanding citizen from your child/children. Those that are not, then you need to look again and make changes from within yourselves to make our country better.
This woman does not deserve to call herself a teacher or an educator. I hope that they through the book at her. Maybe we need a new jail and they can put her under it...bringing that kind of corruption is not something that I think we should stand by and watch without at least trying to take a stand. "
Yes, it makes me angry to know that there are teachers out there doing things that they should not. It also makes me angry to KNOW that there are people that guard inmates (not commisioned deputies) or work for companies that run prisons that should be in jail themselves and not responsible for the inmates security, especially if their spouse is in jail, but that will continue to be what happens because the MORALS and VALUES of society are not near where they need to be and we are not making them a priority. When we will allow someone to lie steal and cheat to get anything they want, then we will continue to get this kind of garbage for public servants which is what a teacher is. Look long and hard at yourself and the people that you associate with...if you are instilling morals and values in your family and children, then congratualtions. Hopefully you will be blessed with an upstanding citizen from your child/children. Those that are not, then you need to look again and make changes from within yourselves to make our country better.
This woman does not deserve to call herself a teacher or an educator. I hope that they through the book at her. Maybe we need a new jail and they can put her under it...bringing that kind of corruption is not something that I think we should stand by and watch without at least trying to take a stand. "
Limey wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:27 PM:
" This woman and her husband are accused of drug trafficking and money laundering and this does not mean that they used the drugs they sold, so a drug test would not have revealed their 'other means of income'. Many dealers of large quantities of drugs, and money launderers do not use the drugs they deal with - they need to keep a clear head to maintain their lucrative business.
That said, I have to agree with the others who feel that drug testing should be mandatory for all teachers. These days, there are very few jobs that do not mandate drug testing before being hired. A job involving your children should be no exception. "
That said, I have to agree with the others who feel that drug testing should be mandatory for all teachers. These days, there are very few jobs that do not mandate drug testing before being hired. A job involving your children should be no exception. "
cheryl_adams wrote on Oct 11, 2008 1:37 AM:
" Suspended with pay?? you are kidding me...we tax payers are gona pay for her.... to await trial for all this ....wonder if someone in other jobs couldnt come to work cause they were arrested at there job for these reasons could go home and get paid to sit and fight or flee which ever comes first....wow should of done what montgomery done...like anyone is going to trust there kids with her again??? "
dodgeballleader wrote on Oct 11, 2008 8:25 AM:
" Does anyone recall "Innocent until proven guilty"? As a 19 year veteran of the classroom, I agree with drug testing as a condition of hire, and random testing(I do b/c I drive a bus to athletic events) throughout the year, but some of you have already convicted each of these women. People make mistakes and it doesn't mean they are "bad" people. I knew the teacher from Montgomery when she was in high school. Good person from a good family, but obviously she needs help.
Remember, the Constitution guarantees the "right to a trial by jury", not public opinion or sensational journalism. "
Remember, the Constitution guarantees the "right to a trial by jury", not public opinion or sensational journalism. "
npdandk wrote on Oct 11, 2008 12:52 PM:
" Thank God, as a resident of Splendora I never have to worry about idiots like whiskeyecho entering my town and corruptingit with ignorance....... "
ollie wrote on Oct 11, 2008 11:12 PM:
" The Mayor of a town doesn't have any jurisdiction or authority over an "Independent" school system, the elected School Board does. Try some civics Whiskey. "
perse wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:25 AM:
" Why is everybody assuming that either of these teachers would fail a drug test? You agree to the extra taxes for the cost of it, I suspect the schools will be glad to make drug testing mandatory for teachers at the beginning of every new contract period every August.
Some clarification, Ollie ... the mayor doesn't need to be informed enough to have any idea about how the school system works and affects the community? Government of the ignorant, by the ignorant and for the ignorant? Is that your take on civics you so eloquently recommend to a poster whose name you can't even spell? "
Some clarification, Ollie ... the mayor doesn't need to be informed enough to have any idea about how the school system works and affects the community? Government of the ignorant, by the ignorant and for the ignorant? Is that your take on civics you so eloquently recommend to a poster whose name you can't even spell? "
concerned driver wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:12 AM: