George McDonald
CHARLOTTE -- The school teacher reportedly caught with heroin and drug paraphernalia at Bruns Elementary earlier this week will be represented by his former Sunday school teacher, Parks Helms.
Helms, a long time county leader, talked to News 14 Carolina about George "Terry" McDonald and the charges against him.
"I know him to be a fine young man with a very serious addiction problem,” Helms said.
He also said the elementary school art teacher accused of having heroin and drug paraphernalia in a classroom will get help from him.
"He has reached a point in his life that he is ready to have some help and I'm going, with the help of his family and friends, to make sure he gets it," Helms said.
An assistant principal caught Terry Mcdonald with the heroin in a classroom Monday.
Parks Helms, a long time county leader, talked to News 14 Carolina about George "Terry" McDonald and the charges against him.
McDonald was arrested in Buncombe County in 2005 on similar charges. Through his attorney, he waived the bond and probable cause hearings.
This recent incident has the state Board of Education discussing if law enforcement should inform school districts when an employee is arrested.
"Whether we should have a policy or not remains to be seen,” said board chair Howard Lee. “Maybe there's an informal way to manage or maybe the board should pass a policy to manage it. At any rate, I want to give it some in-depth study."
CMS Superintendent Peter Gorman suggests having a master database that is cross referenced with law enforcement.
"You would get immediate notification through a confidential phone call, e-mail or fax number to notify of arrests. You could then track that and work with the agency,” Gorman said.
Helms said McDonald deeply regrets what he has done and he'll soon likely offer an apology to the parents and students of Bruns Elementary.
"In the end, justice will be done both for him and for this community," Helms said.