QUESTION: Whatever happened to the two Mililani Middle School teachers who were arrested for allegedly smoking marijuana?

ANSWER: The Department of Education terminated teachers Benjamin Ayson and Lisa Luhrsen in July 2007.

On Dec. 4, 2006, a parent saw Ayson and Luhrsen allegedly smoking marijuana in a pickup truck at the Mililani Park & Ride before they headed to work. The parent followed the truck to school and reported what she saw to Principal Roger Kim.

Both were charged with possession and placed on paid leave before they were terminated.

The Star-Bulletin reported in April 2007 that Ayson pleaded no contest to third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug. He admitted to possessing a pipe with trace amounts of marijuana residue, but said it belonged to his cousin who left it in his truck after attending a University of Hawaii football game. His attorney, David Gierlach, had said he was smoking a cigarette and not marijuana. Results of a drug test Ayson took a day after his arrest were negative.

Luhrsen pleaded no contest for possessing marijuana.

Both teachers were granted a deferral on their plea for six months. Luhrsen completed all the conditions of her deferral and the case was dismissed, said attorney Victor Bakke, who represented Luhrsen. Ayson also completed the terms of his deferral.

Both teachers filed grievances with the teachers union. Union officials would not comment on the case, saying matters are confidential.