Michigan school officials charged with smoking marijuana near high school

Kara Berg, The Detroit News on Dec 23, 2024

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DETROIT — The Fitzgerald Public Schools superintendent and food services director were allegedly smoking marijuana in a car near Fitzgerald High School and both were arrested for driving under the influence and processing marijuana on school grounds, according to Macomb County prosecutors.

Superintendent Hollie Stange, 38, and Food Services Director Amanda Carroll, 38, both allegedly were in Carroll's vehicle smoking marijuana Friday at a plaza near the corner of 9 Mile Road and Ryan Road in Warren, according to a press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office.

The women left in separate vehicles and were individually stopped by Warren police, where they were allegedly found to be driving under the influence. Stange allegedly had a weapon in her vehicle.

Stange is charged with possession of marijuana on school grounds, a two-year felony; possession of a weapon in a weapon-free zone, a 93-day misdemeanor; and driving while intoxicated, a 93-day misdemeanor.

Carroll is charged with possession of marijuana on school grounds, a two-year felony; a second-offense driving while intoxicated, a one-year misdemeanor; and driving while intoxicated with an occupant under 16 years old, a one-year misdemeanor.

Both women were arraigned Saturday and were given $5,000 cash/surety bonds.

"These allegations are deeply troubling. These women are not only responsible for their own conduct but are entrusted with the well-being of our children," Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said in a statement. "Engaging in alleged illegal drug use near school property and driving under the influence is a betrayal of that trust and puts our community at significant risk. We will pursue justice to ensure accountability and uphold the safety and integrity of our schools."

Both women were placed on leave during the criminal investigation and as the school board pursues an internal review, said Board of Education President Julia Yokel.

Warren lawyer Bill Barnwell, Stange’s attorney, said while he has not received any discovery in the case yet, he anticipates prosecutors may have a challenge in proving if Strange was impaired by marijuana, as there is no standard in Michigan for what counts as impaired.

Barnwell questioned how the 1,000 feet from the school was measured and said the gun found in the gun appears to be a hunting rifle, and prosecutors have to prove that Stange knew it was there.

“There very well could be defenses as to all of these charges,” Barnwell said.

Warren's 37th District Court said Carroll's case was nonpublic and they were unable to release any information on the case or her attorney. Lucido said nothing related to this case is nonpublic and it's "crazy" that the Warren court said it was.

Both women are due back in court at 1 p.m. Monday for a bond hearing.

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