Possible Teen Drinking on Spring Break Concerns Wootton Principal

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ROCKVILLE, MD — The head of Wootton High School is concerned about the potential for underage drinking on a spring break trip to Mexico, and has posted a letter online to warn parents.

Kimberly Boldon, acting principal of the school in Rockville, addressed seniors and their parents in the letter, which is posted on the school’s website. Information about the trip notes that the legal drinking age in Mexico is 18, and says students must drink responsibly.

Boldon said she is “deeply saddened and frustrated to see that some of the promotional/informational materials associated with this trip do not strongly discourage the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Our community has suffered tremendous losses, and I am disappointed that anyone would imply that drinking by our students who are not yet of legal drinking age is acceptable.”

Two Wootton graduates died in June 2015 after attending an underage drinking party.

The husband of one of the spring break trip’s organizers is Kenneth Jay Saltzman of Potomac, who pleaded guilty in December to furnishing alcohol to a minor. Saltzman hosted an underage drinking party June 25, which was attended by Samuel Ellis, the former star quarterback at Thomas S. Wootton High School. Ellis, of North Potomac, was the driver in a crash that killed classmates Alexander Murk, 18, of Potomac and Calvin Jia-Xing Li, 18, of Rockville.

Saltzman’s wife, Tracie, said in a statement to WUSA9, “We do not condone drinking under the age of 21 and included Mexico’s 18-year-old drinking age in order to make families aware of the different law.”

SEE ALSO:

• Potomac Party Host Pleads Guilty in Teen Drinking Case
• ‘This Must Stop’: Principal Tells Parents Hosting Teen Drinking Parties
• Teens Attended Underage Drinking Party Before Deadly Crash, Police Say (Updated)
• ‘It’s a Parent’s Worst Nightmare,’ Says Father of Teen Killed in Crash

School principal Boldon emphasized that the Mexico trip is not affiliated with Wootton High School.

Her letter reminds parents that, “it is our collective responsibility to keep our children safe and to set firm boundaries.”

Ellis was charged in November with vehicular manslaughter and homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence, according to Maryland court records.

If found guilty, he could serve up to 33 years in prison under Maryland law.

Read Boldon’s full letter below.

Wootton Principal Letter to Parents