It seems simple enough, until you take a look at the information that was released (or not released) by the school and by the Norfolk police department. On Saturday February 14 James River High School Principal,John Titus sent the following letter to the parents:
"February 14, 2009
Dear Parents and Guardians of students on Model U.N. Trip in Norfolk, Virginia:
Early yesterday morning (Feb. 13), we were made aware that a teacher-chaperone on the Model U.N. field trip had been arrested overnight in Norfolk. The teacher-chaperone was immediately directed by Chesterfield County Public Schools to leave the event site. Two additional staff members were immediately dispatched to Norfolk to join the student group and assist our chaperones already on site through the end of the conference.
The school administration began an immediate investigation as soon as it was made aware of these serious allegations, and the teacher will not be returning to the classroom pending completion of the investigation and final disposition of any resulting disciplinary action.
We take very seriously our responsibility to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 378-2420. As always, if your child shares any information or concerns with you as you discuss this information, please let us know as well.
Thank you for your support of James River High School.
Sincerely,
John Titus
Principal"
At this point neither the school nor the police department would release any information concerning the identity of the teacher or the charges filed against her leaving many local parents only able to guess as to the nature of the crime and who was involved.
On February 17 information was released naming the teacher and the charges against her (public drunkenness). To add a twist to the story at around 9:40 a.m. on the 17th a Norfolk police spokesperson sent an e-mail to local Richmond media saying that the charges had been determined to be unfounded and no charges would be filed against Mendelis. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch they asked for clarification of this statement and received a second email from Norfolk saying the charges had been dropped because they where "determined unwarranted”.
At around 1:30 pm yet another email was sent from the Norfolk police department to several Richmond news agencies informing them that they had once again changed their mind and Mendelis is in fact facing a charge of public drunkenness, a court date has been set for April 7.
Mendelis is the second Chesterfield county teacher to be arrested this month, a Tomahawk Creek Middle School teacher was charged with one count of felony assault and two counts of misdemeanor assault after he allegedly shoved three disorderly students against a wall during a fire drill.
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