Parents split on Parchment AD support

PARCHMENT, Mich. (WOOD) - Several Parchment parents called out the school board Monday night for its handling of athletic director and middle school assistant principal John Thompson's recent 'super drunk' driving arrest.

Thompson's blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit when he was arrested on the night of April 4, police say, after allegedly leading them on a high-speed chase.

He now faces charges of fleeing in a vehicle and one count of operating under the influence with a BAC of more than .17 -- a charge under what is referred to as the 'super drunk' law.

The police report stated Thompson invoked Superintendent Matt Miller's name on the night of the incident, saying, "Matt could make it OK".

Last month, Miller said in a statement he had dinner with Thompson that night at a Richland bar, but claimed he didn't know when the athletic director left.

The district's attorney Bob Champion spoke for the board and Miller.

"At no time was Matt Miller involved in any way or knowledge of even this employee leaving this establishment," Champion said.

Champion also said that the school board acted appropriately in response to the arrest.

"At this point, the board has taken all action that is proper," he said.

During Monday night's school board meeting, parents were divided on Thompson's future and how the board and superintendent handled the situation.

"It just appears to the community and to other schools that we are covering something up," one concerned parent said.

School board opponents claimed the board did not communicate with parents about the incident.

"I think you fundamentally failed in your obligation to our community," another parent told the board.

Other parents and school employees backed the board -- and Thompson.

"Let me tell you what the kids say: 'He's in the halls, he's saying how's the grades, how are sports.' That's who he is," parent Dody Leckie said.

Other parents asked that Thompson be forgiven.

Thompson remains on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of charges against him.