Bremen teacher charged with DUI, takes medical leave

The Bremen Board of Education voted to accept Bremen Fourth and Fifth Grade Academy Principal April Garnera s request for family leave under the Family Medical Leave Act at a special meeting on Tuesday.

[miss blue 07]

I just wanted to say that I think Dr Garner made a mistake. Ye who has not sinned cast the first stone. Therefore none of us can cast the first stone that I am sure of.... This is tough for the whole city especially the students. Why not try to consider her family. She is in rehab what more can she do at this point? You people that are always on here talking about people you do not know need more to do.

[Concerned Bremen Parent]

I have two children who attended Bremen City Schools. I do know April Garner. I KNOW she should be dismissed because of the DUI. How can she be trusted to care for the children in our community when she cannot be trusted to not drink? She was "apparently" drunk at a school function last year, and lies were told to cover it up. She is glassy eyed when she is at school. I am the daughter of an alcoholic, and I can assure you, there is no cure. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. If I break the law, I pay the consequences. If you break the law, I trust you also have to pay the consequences. If I show up drunk at work, they WILL fire me. Apparently not the case in this circumstance. Tell me what makes her so special? Why was she not dismissed last year when the first incident happened? I don't care what your last name is, or who your parents are, you should be held accountable for what you do.

[former police officer]

miss blue 07 wrote:

I just wanted to say that I think Dr Garner made a mistake. Ye who has not sinned cast the first stone. Therefore none of us can cast the first stone that I am sure of.... This is tough for the whole city especially the students. Why not try to consider her family. She is in rehab what more can she do at this point? You people that are always on here talking about people you do not know need more to do.

have you ever picked up the headless body of a child put them on a strecher and picked up the arm of another child and then talk to the drunk principle of another school and him not know what happened or where he was and didn't know daylight from dark, About April's family, embarrassment is difficult but wake up the truth is, she is a drunk instead of excusing her and calling it gossip do her a favor, get angry very angry you may die because of her.

[concerned parent]

miss blue 07 wrote:

I just wanted to say that I think Dr Garner made a mistake. Ye who has not sinned cast the first stone. Therefore none of us can cast the first stone that I am sure of.... This is tough for the whole city especially the students. Why not try to consider her family. She is in rehab what more can she do at this point? You people that are always on here talking about people you do not know need more to do.

I would just like to say that I feel for her family. I feel sorry for DR Garner a little (she is a grown woman and makes her own choices) but my point is is that she is out on medical leave (JOKE) why the hell should my tax dollars pay her salary for something that she has done wrong. She should (if she is sorry) step down and let someone else that does not have an illness (DISEASE whatever) manage and care for our kids. The principal at the Middle school is also having to pay for DR Garner's mistake. Now she has double the responsibility and that's not right. Maybe she should get DR Garner's pay for the year. She deserves it.

[Responsibility]

miss blue 07 wrote:

I just wanted to say that I think Dr Garner made a mistake. Ye who has not sinned cast the first stone. Therefore none of us can cast the first stone that I am sure of.... This is tough for the whole city especially the students. Why not try to consider her family. She is in rehab what more can she do at this point? You people that are always on here talking about people you do not know need more to do.

I agree, she made a huge mistake. I will also agree that this is tough for the entire community.

My main issue is not that she just "made a mistake." My issue is that her mistake could have cost people their lives. Her chosen actions put other people, including the children in our schools, directly in harms way.

From my understanding of the history of this situation, this is not the first time "others" have known about her drinking problem. Apparently she has shown up to school functions intoxicated. If those are the times someone noticed.. how many times was she "drunk at work" that people didn't actually notice.
Going off that tangent. She is in a position that puts the lives of the towns children in her hands. Her position as principal means that it is her job to deal with and direct others if an emergency situation occurs. This doesn't just mean fire or tornado drills, it means if the real thing happened, she's the one in charge.
What would have happened if there had been an emergency on campus while she was intoxicated? Could she have handled it? Could she have performed her duties as principal as set by our school board and by the state?

If she is in fact guilty of the things she has been accused of, then she does need to both get help, and pay for her actions. We teach in schools every day about accountability, and there are times we must lead by example.

[CONCERENED FOR HER]

EVERYONE DESREVES A SECOND CHANCE. WHERE WAS EVERYONES CONCERN FOR HER WHEN SHE SHOWED UP AT FUNCTIONS INTOXICATED? SOUNDS TO ME NO ONE HELPED HER. SO DON'T BE SO QUICK TO CONDEM HER. NO ONE IS PERFECT AND THOSE WHO THINK THEY ARE SHOULD THINK AGAIN. IF SHE IS TRYING TO GET HELP THAN I SAY TO HER THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE SO UNFORGIVING I WOULDNT WANT TO WORK FOR THEM. THERE IS NO PERFECT PARENT IT IS A JOB NO ONE IS EDUCATED FOR.

[Blue Devil Parent]

CONCERENED FOR HER wrote:

EVERYONE DESREVES A SECOND CHANCE. WHERE WAS EVERYONES CONCERN FOR HER WHEN SHE SHOWED UP AT FUNCTIONS INTOXICATED? SOUNDS TO ME NO ONE HELPED HER. SO DON'T BE SO QUICK TO CONDEM HER. NO ONE IS PERFECT AND THOSE WHO THINK THEY ARE SHOULD THINK AGAIN. IF SHE IS TRYING TO GET HELP THAN I SAY TO HER THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE SO UNFORGIVING I WOULDNT WANT TO WORK FOR THEM. THERE IS NO PERFECT PARENT IT IS A JOB NO ONE IS EDUCATED FOR.

This was her second chance and she blew it! You're right no one is perfect BUT she deserves to be dismissed from her job and not on medical leave! She is a well educated person she knew better and I am extremely angry because she got pulled over on the very road I travel on EVERY day with my kids! Would it have been okay if she killed someone by driving drunk? She could have easily killed one of her own students! Then what!

[Responsibility]

CONCERENED FOR HER wrote:

EVERYONE DESREVES A SECOND CHANCE. WHERE WAS EVERYONES CONCERN FOR HER WHEN SHE SHOWED UP AT FUNCTIONS INTOXICATED? SOUNDS TO ME NO ONE HELPED HER. SO DON'T BE SO QUICK TO CONDEM HER. NO ONE IS PERFECT AND THOSE WHO THINK THEY ARE SHOULD THINK AGAIN. IF SHE IS TRYING TO GET HELP THAN I SAY TO HER THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE SO UNFORGIVING I WOULDNT WANT TO WORK FOR THEM. THERE IS NO PERFECT PARENT IT IS A JOB NO ONE IS EDUCATED FOR.

you're right, being a parent is a job no one is educated for. But she has a PhD in education. So she was educated on how to do her job as principal. Part of that education was to learn about and sign a document about the ethical requirements for educators. This document includes the act of being "intoxicated at school or at a school function" as being unethical.

A complaint should have been filed with the state ethics committee last year after the 4th grade ceremony issue. This will come down on the school as well, as they had an ethical duty according to that same document to report her actions. They clearly did not do this.

[former police officer]

after reading the report in the newspaper I can say that this sad and THANK YOU to the one who reported her driving.

[BHSgrad]

As a former student of Bremen High School, I feel absolutely no remorse for Dr. Garner. I knew her and I knew her ways, and personally I think the fact that she was even given the option of medical leave is absurd. A few fellow students that I graduated with, or should I say was supposed to graduate with, were reported as "intoxicated" at the honors awards the week of graduation. A parent of "prestige" in Bremen called and told the school that they were drunk. The school did not even question the accusations or ask for evidence of this. The speculations resulted in them not being able to walk at graduation and having receive their diploma in the mail. My POINT is, maybe if these boys were given a medical leave, or a Dr.'s note dismissing them for their actions, or "accused actions" they would have been able to walk with the rest of their class on the most important day of their life. Another boy in my class was charged with a DUI our senior year and he was kicked off the football team and missed the last game of his senior year. The school did not think twice about not giving him another chance. They told his parents to come clean out his football locker. Maybe if he too would have gotten medical leave or a Dr.'s note for his actions, he would not have lost his football scholarship to college! How is this any different?
Dr. Garner is supposed to be a role model to children. Maybe these boys were looking up to her. She is getting a second chance, why weren't they given one? Her justice is CRAP! I am disgusted with the way things are being handled in this situation. In my eyes, her punishment should be more than what students at the school receive! But that is the way it is in Bremen, someone craps and they try to cover it up with dirt before someone else sees it. What does that tell the students of Bremen City Schools. It's okay if we drink because our principle does it. If we get caught, maybe we can just get a Dr.'s excuse. YEAH RIGHT! The Board needs to get rid of her, teach her a lesson, and be fair to students. Give them someone they can actually look up to!

[Bremen]

BHSgrad wrote:

As a former student of Bremen High School, I feel absolutely no remorse for Dr. Garner. I knew her and I knew her ways, and personally I think the fact that she was even given the option of medical leave is absurd. A few fellow students that I graduated with, or should I say was supposed to graduate with, were reported as "intoxicated" at the honors awards the week of graduation. A parent of "prestige" in Bremen called and told the school that they were drunk. The school did not even question the accusations or ask for evidence of this. The speculations resulted in them not being able to walk at graduation and having receive their diploma in the mail. My POINT is, maybe if these boys were given a medical leave, or a Dr.'s note dismissing them for their actions, or "accused actions" they would have been able to walk with the rest of their class on the most important day of their life. Another boy in my class was charged with a DUI our senior year and he was kicked off the football team and missed the last game of his senior year. The school did not think twice about not giving him another chance. They told his parents to come clean out his football locker. Maybe if he too would have gotten medical leave or a Dr.'s note for his actions, he would not have lost his football scholarship to college! How is this any different?
Dr. Garner is supposed to be a role model to children. Maybe these boys were looking up to her. She is getting a second chance, why weren't they given one? Her justice is CRAP! I am disgusted with the way things are being handled in this situation. In my eyes, her punishment should be more than what students at the school receive! But that is the way it is in Bremen, someone craps and they try to cover it up with dirt before someone else sees it. What does that tell the students of Bremen City Schools. It's okay if we drink because our principle does it. If we get caught, maybe we can just get a Dr.'s excuse. YEAH RIGHT! The Board needs to get rid of her, teach her a lesson, and be fair to students. Give them someone they can actually look up to!

Well, you really do have a point. I remember some cheerleaders many years ago not able to cheer the last football games because someone accused them of drinking. They were treated as though they were guilty without any evidence what so ever. You know this is going to be a mess until the end of the year.

[teacher and principal]

The April Garner I have known all my life is a loving and caring indididual who gives 100% in whatever she attempts. One of the things she may be guilty of is not leaving enough time for herself.
Dr. Garner had a lot of challenges, including budget cuts in this economic time. Being a principal is a tough job because you are pulled in so many directions and deal with so many people, all who seem to want a lot of different outcomes. She faces a lot of personal challenges at this time as well.
She was a counselor who made sure that all children received gifts at Christmas. Surely some of you have been asked as a friend, as have I as her friend, to pitch in and help.
She has her failings just as all of us do, but this in no way excuses her for her behavior. She obviously is getting help to overcome her shortcomings. While I do not condone her actions, I feel for her as a person and her family who faces many life changes. I commend the police and the citizen who called in the complaint. The last thing Dr. Garner would like to do is to hurt anybody.
Incidentally, she had ZERO alcohol in her at the 4th grade honors ceremony. That is just one of the many things that the Board of Education and Superintent knows that we may not, as a citizen, be fully aware of. We need to step back in Bremen and let the people in charge do their job.
Please pray for all concerned at the school, in the community, and in her life.
Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

[BHSgrad]

If you sit back and "let those in charge" fix the issues with this situation...they will just sweep it under the rug just like every other thing that goes on in Bremen is. If people do not take a stand, it will only happen again. I mean look at what is happening, she is getting medical leave to seek help for a DUI, a criminal offense! If it were just a typical city or county citizen, they would lose their job and God knows what else. The thing is, she is one of those who were in charge. She is a "prominent" figure at the academy and she should have made decisions that reflect her social stature at the school. Being a principal may be a tough job and she may be suffering in this economic time. But WAKE UP so is everyone else. That does not mean everyone can get drunk, get a DUI, and then medical leave from their jobs. Everyone else is suffering and having to pay taxes to send an alcoholic principal to rehab. It is hard to just sit back and let this happen without being angered and raged as a citizen of this community. I would hate to know they would just brush this off their shoulders. It HAS to be addressed and taken care of. Forgiveness is a simple word, but it's so hard when someone, a child, her students, could have been KILLED. Be realistic and open your eyes people!

[Bremen Alum 94]

teacher and principal wrote:

The April Garner I have known all my life is a loving and caring indididual who gives 100% in whatever she attempts. One of the things she may be guilty of is not leaving enough time for herself.
Dr. Garner had a lot of challenges, including budget cuts in this economic time. Being a principal is a tough job because you are pulled in so many directions and deal with so many people, all who seem to want a lot of different outcomes. She faces a lot of personal challenges at this time as well.
She was a counselor who made sure that all children received gifts at Christmas. Surely some of you have been asked as a friend, as have I as her friend, to pitch in and help.
She has her failings just as all of us do, but this in no way excuses her for her behavior. She obviously is getting help to overcome her shortcomings. While I do not condone her actions, I feel for her as a person and her family who faces many life changes. I commend the police and the citizen who called in the complaint. The last thing Dr. Garner would like to do is to hurt anybody.
Incidentally, she had ZERO alcohol in her at the 4th grade honors ceremony. That is just one of the many things that the Board of Education and Superintent knows that we may not, as a citizen, be fully aware of. We need to step back in Bremen and let the people in charge do their job.
Please pray for all concerned at the school, in the community, and in her life.
Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

We all have challenges in these difficult times and thank heavens most of us do not make the choices she has made. She is paid a high salary for her extra work and effort. Are we now saying that someone or something caused this??? PLEASE - she did this to herself.

[Fred]

Blue Devil Parent wrote:

<quoted text> This was her second chance and she blew it! You're right no one is perfect BUT she deserves to be dismissed from her job and not on medical leave! She is a well educated person she knew better and I am extremely angry because she got pulled over on the very road I travel on EVERY day with my kids! Would it have been okay if she killed someone by driving drunk? She could have easily killed one of her own students! Then what!

Actually her third chance!!!!!

[Sammy]

teacher and principal wrote:

The April Garner I have known all my life is a loving and caring indididual who gives 100% in whatever she attempts. One of the things she may be guilty of is not leaving enough time for herself.
Dr. Garner had a lot of challenges, including budget cuts in this economic time. Being a principal is a tough job because you are pulled in so many directions and deal with so many people, all who seem to want a lot of different outcomes. She faces a lot of personal challenges at this time as well.
She was a counselor who made sure that all children received gifts at Christmas. Surely some of you have been asked as a friend, as have I as her friend, to pitch in and help.
She has her failings just as all of us do, but this in no way excuses her for her behavior. She obviously is getting help to overcome her shortcomings. While I do not condone her actions, I feel for her as a person and her family who faces many life changes. I commend the police and the citizen who called in the complaint. The last thing Dr. Garner would like to do is to hurt anybody.
Incidentally, she had ZERO alcohol in her at the 4th grade honors ceremony. That is just one of the many things that the Board of Education and Superintent knows that we may not, as a citizen, be fully aware of. We need to step back in Bremen and let the people in charge do their job.
Please pray for all concerned at the school, in the community, and in her life.
Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

If she didn't have alcohol in her system at the Academy's Honors Day, then what did she have? Everyone would step back and let the people in charge do their job if they would do the right thing!!!

[Principal and BHSgrad]

Dr. Garner had a good record or she wouldn't have gotten the jobs she has had in Bremen in the first place.
Not everyone who gets a DUI gets discharged from his job or goes to jail or whatever. Circumstances alter cases.
With what measure you meet, the same will be given to you likewise... Or something like that. What goes around comes around is another way to say it. We will be forgiven as we forgive.

[MSO4]

teacher and principal wrote:

Incidentally, she had ZERO alcohol in her at the 4th grade honors ceremony.

And you know this how? Umless she was sent to have a blood alcohol level drawn you would not know. And if she was sent for an alcohol level, then someone already knew she was a sloppy drunk.

[Former BHS graduate]

I know Ms. Garner, she at one point in time was a counselor for the Elementary students. How can she counsel children when it seems she is the one that needs counseling. The majority here is right. Anything that happens in Bremen,( and I have lived here all my life) is swept under the rug, but only if you are the chosen ones in Bremen. Others are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Do you really want someone that obviously has a problem to this extent, watching out for your kids? Do you?

[Responsibility]

teacher and principal wrote:

Incidentally, she had ZERO alcohol in her at the 4th grade honors ceremony. That is just one of the many things that the Board of Education and Superintent knows that we may not, as a citizen, be fully aware of. We need to step back in Bremen and let the people in charge do their job.

If you are a citizen (as you sated with "we may not, as a citizen...) then how do you know she had "zero alcohol" in her system, since you just said only the school board would know?

Then you say that "we need to step back in Bremen and let the people in charge do their job."
They should be doing or saying something to let us know they are doing their job. The principal of a school was arrested for DUI, is now on medical leave, and has been accused by many parents of being intoxicated at numerous school events and during school hours.
She was arrested on Saturday, it is now Friday, and the school board has said nothing to parents as of 1:30 today. No notes home, no conference, nothing.
Given the severity of the accusations, they should have given the parents of the children who attend the school this woman was in charge of more information about what is being done. Parents should not be finding out about this from a newspaper. They should not be having to wait for updates from a newspaper.

As soon as the Board starts *showing* us that they are doing their job, maybe I'll trust them to do it.