North Georgia teacher arrested for heroin at school expected to be fired
Published 8:00 am Thursday, April 26, 2018
- Raquel Eleana Spencer
DALTON, Ga. — A Northwest Whitfield High School teacher has been arrested after she was found to have heroin on school property, officials said. The superintendent plans to recommend that she be fired.
Sheriff Scott Chitwood said in a press release that Raquel Eleana Spencer, 29, was charged with possession of heroin on Wednesday after school officials notified the sheriff’s office that Spencer was possibly under the influence of narcotics. The release said school administrators were notified of the situation by both staff members and students.
Spencer, of 808 Shadow Lane-18 in Dalton, has been employed by the county school system since January of 2013, according to Whitfield County Schools spokesman Eric Beavers. According to the county jail, Spencer was being held without bond.
Beavers said in a statement that a staff member reported Spencer was “exhibiting unusual behavior,” indicating that Spencer may have been under the influence of drugs.
“Administrators went to check on the teacher and escorted her to the office,” Beavers wrote. “Since the safety of our students and staff is a top priority in our schools, the (school resource officer) asked the teacher if she would consent to a search. The teacher consented to the search. The officer found an illegal substance which led to her arrest.”
The drug was found in Spencer’s personal property on school grounds, which could be a separate criminal charge. Capt. Paul Woods with the sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible.
According to the Northwest website, Spencer is an English teacher. According to the Northwest student handbook, she is an assistant cheerleader coach and assistant girls track and field coach. Beavers said Superintendent Judy Gilreath is pursuing the firing of Spencer.
“The superintendent is taking the necessary steps to recommend termination,” Beavers wrote. “The teacher is currently in custody. If she is released she will immediately be placed on administrative leave pending further proceedings regarding her employment.”
