2 educators on Kauai held on pot charges

Kula schools' vice principal and a science teacher face marijuana charges

UPDATE: The misdemeanor charge against David Rojeck was permanently dismissed in September 2007, and the arrest was expunged from police records. Alan Bertolino's case was transferred to a drug court program which he completed and the charges against him were dismissed in August 2008.

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MOLOAA, Kauai » A science teacher and the athletic director of an expensive private North Shore school were arrested last week for allegedly growing marijuana at their home.

Alan Bertolino, 43, the science teacher at Kula Intermediate and High School, was charged with second-degree commercial production of marijuana, among other charges. He worked at the school for about two months.

Bertolino, who is being held in lieu of bail, was fired Monday, Kula High Principal David Mireles said.

Kula Vice Principal and Athletic Director David Rojeck, 42, was charged with third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, a petty misdemeanor.

Rojeck resigned Monday morning after a meeting with Mireles, he said. He had been at the school for two years.

Bertolino and Rojeck were living together in Moloaa, a few miles from campus, Friday when Kauai police, acting on a tip, raided the home. Police said they found 50 marijuana plants, processed marijuana, drug paraphernalia and ammunition.

Mireles said parents have been supportive of both the school and the decision not to keep the educators. Other teachers have been filling in for Bertolino and will continue to do so until the end of the school year.

The small, private school's middle and high school is at Moloaa, which has 90 students in grades 7-12, Mireles said. Yesterday, he spoke about the teachers with each class on the Moloaa campus.

"Never in our history have we had an incident like this," Mireles added. "We are committed to a drug-free environment."

There have been four other teachers in the state arrested on drug charges so far this school year. Two custodians were also arrested on drug charges.

Kaelepulu Elementary School teacher Bronwyn Marie Kugle was arrested on federal drug charges on Feb. 14.

Leilehua High School special-education teacher Lee Nobuo Anzai was arrested in October on federal methamphetamine distribution charges.

Mililani Middle School teachers Benjamin Ayson and Lisa Luhrsen were arrested in December for allegedly smoking marijuana near the school campus.