Friday, December 5, 2003
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Friday, December 5, 2003 |
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Assistant superintendent in jail after drug bust By JOHN THOMPSON Coweta County school system officials are still in shock this week after the stunning arrest of an assistant superintendent last week. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Chris Jennings was traveling Nov. 26 south on Interstate 85 near LaGrange in his grey Mercedes when a Georgia State Patrol officer noticed him going 90 miles in a hour in a 70-mph zone, said patrol spokesman Gordy Wright. “The trooper noticed his driving pattern, and when he stopped him, he also detected an aroma of alcohol,” Wright said. When the trooper asked him for his driver’s license, all Jennings could produce was his photo ID from the Coweta County School System. The trooper conducted a field sobriety test, and then patted Jennings down, where he discovered a vial containing cocaine in his front pocket, Wright said. A subsequent search of the car also turned up another bottle of cocaine in Jennings’ shaving kit in the trunk of his car. Jennings was taken to the Troup County Jail and charged with felony possession of cocaine, DUI, obscured tag, no driver’s license, open container violation and speeding. Coweta County School Superintendent Peggy Connell said she was made aware of the charges against Jennings last Wednesday after the incident, and spoke to Jennings that evening. Dr. Connell said she deeply regrets the circumstances. “He’s worked for this school system for almost 32 years, and his work has been wonderful,” Connell said. “I was glad he was here. He’s been a dedicated and highly capable employee for over 30 years. We were all surprised.” No decision has been made yet on what course the school system will take regarding Jennings’ absence from his post.
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