By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
Proving once again that no occupation or level of society is immune from intrigue and bizarre behavior a Port Townsend, Washington high school principal was arrested for Burglary and Harassment for an incident in which he allegedly made threats to kill the school’s principal.
I have to admit that since a case involving two dentists fighting each other in their dental office years ago, not much surprises me. But the type of attitude allegedly demonstrated by this teacher makes me wonder how perplexed the faculty must have felt when it was the students, who are usually the ones to be treated as criminals in today’s zero tolerance schools, were not the culprit and instead it was one of their own–who was arrested for an real violation of the law.
Reports state that teacher Jim Miller could not leave principal Carrie Ehrhardt alone after he was placed on administrative leave in early February after staff became worried about his behavior and dark sarcasm in the classroom. Miller blamed Ehrhardt for protesting and questioning her decision to prevent him from attend to his students. Afterward, he stated he was going to kill her. He should have reflected upon the irony of the situation but instead chose to plan for his next Career Limiting Move.
The first incident took place in February at a local restaurant where a meeting was set-up to discuss the matter between the two. From the onset, Miller became unhinged.
He was agitated with me from the moment he arrived and made that known pretty quickly…His face was red, fist clenched, leaning forward across the table at me, aggressive an and assertive in his behavior…It really caused me to kind of taken a back. It rattled me on the inside, but I was careful not to let it show on the outside. -Carrie Ehrhardt
Miller was informed of Ehrhardt’s decision to place him on administrative leave and attempted to de-escalate the situation. At another table, the school resource officer observed the event. Due to safety concerns, the school banned Miller from entering the high school campus. Allegedly, during the meeting Miller made a threat to kill Ms. Ehrhardt.
Surprisingly, the school resource officer did not arrest Miller for felony harassment. But, he managed to finagle himself into an even better charge later.
Last week at the high school. As Ms. Ehrhardt discussed the matter with the district’s superintendent, she received a phone call that Miller unlawfully entered the school and was ranting in his former classroom. Reports are that his, “language [was] very inappropriate and some statements he [made] to kids about his personal life, there was also a sense of alarm.”
Miller’s agitation caused officials to lockdown the school and telephone police, who had to forcibly remove Miller from the classroom. He was booked on investigation of burglary and harassment. Bail was set at $150,000. Sadly, Pink Floyd wasn’t around to carry the rumble to music:
By Darren Smith
Source KOMO News
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