Tuesday, November 11, 2009

Update

Clell Posey, 61, is a respected and admired social studies teacher at Northwest Wichita's Arkansas Avenue Gateway school.

Now, Posey's job could be on the line after Oklahoma authorities arrested him over the weekend, linking him to a complex marijuana distribution ring. He was arrested after nine months of investigating, police in Oklahoma said on Monday.

Chief Fred LeValley of the Blackwell Police Department said detectives found five bags of cocaine on Posey. Investigators said Posey also had almost one pound of marijuana and several hundred dollars in cash on him.

USD 259 does not require current teachers to undergo random drug testing. However, the district does require perspective teachers to pass a drug test before employment. Once hired, a teacher can be required to undergo additional testing if an administrator suspects drug abuse.

Surrounding school districts have similiar policies.

Posey was hired as a teacher in 1977. Before joining the school district, records show he was a member of the Wichita Fire Department. He served just under a year, resigning in 1975 for personal reasons, officials said.

A few students have ranked Posey highly on the popular teacher-rating website, www.ratemyteachers.com. Comments to KAKE.com also reflect shock on the part of some former students.

Tad McClellan of Dallas wrote: "He was a great teacher. Very strict but in 7th grade you need that. And you actually learned in his class. This is really too bad."

School administrators say Posey is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. Posey could also face charges in Sedgwick County based on the drugs and guns authorities say they recovered from his East Wichita home.

Oklahoma police say the investigation is ongoing and that more arrests are possible.

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Monday, November 10, 2009

A Wichita teacher has been placed on administrative leave after police said he was arrested on drug charges.

Police arrested Clell Aven Posey at I-35 and Highway 177 near Braman, Oklahoma Saturday night. Police said Posey was found with nearly a pound of marijuana, cocaine and more than $400 in cash.

Oklahoma authorities called Wichita Police who searched Posey's home. Wichita Police said they recovered more than a pound of marijuana, meth, $1,700 in cash and 17 firearms.

Posey's wife Janelle told KAKE News her husband brought home marijuana and told her to smoke it to help her with nausea brought on by cancer treatments. She said she never suspected he was dealing drugs.

Posey teaches social studies at Arkansas Avenue Gateway Alternative School. A Wichita school spokesperson said the district was made aware of the arrest this morning.