Parchment AD 'shamed' after arrest

PARCHMENT, Mich. (WOOD) - The Parchment Middle School principal and high school athletic director requested his own unpaid leave as charges for drunk driving were filed against him, 24 Hour News 8 has learned.

The only publicly available statement to date from John Thompson was found in an email from Thompson to the district superintendent and school board, obtained by 24 Hour News 8 through the Freedom of Information Act.

"I have and will continue to use this time to deal with this issue that has brought shame to myself, my family, the community and profession that I love," he wrote. "This self inflicted, humbling experience will make me a better man, educator, and administrator."

Thompson was arrested in April after leading Richmond police in a high speed chase after an officer attempted to pull him over. He was later found to be more than three times the legal blood alcohol content.

Last week 24 Hour News 8 learned Thompson had been arrested for driving drunk before. In 2007 he was charged after hitting a deer and showing up at the Van Buren County Sheriff's office. In that incident he was allegedly more than twice the legal limit.

The charges were ultimately dropped in that instance and Thompson was ticketed for careless driving.

As concerned community members continue to express concern over the district's handling of the matter, petition language has been approved to recall the entire school board .

If enough signatures are compiled the matter could end up on the ballot for voters to decide.

While parents have voiced concern that Thompson was allowed to return to work after his arrest, school officials appear to have followed district policy because Thompson was not charged for weeks after his arrest.

The district policy obtained by 24 Hour News 8 states the superintendent must provide written reasoning for allowing a person with a pending felony charge to continue working in the district.