Spotsylvania Teacher On Leave After Alcohol Possession Charge At School

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A Battlefield Middle School teacher has been placed on administrative leave after being charged with possession of alcohol on school property when authorities discovered two cases of beer and two open beer cans inside his vehicle, Spotsylvania County Public Schools confirmed to Patch.

Stuart Sheetz, 60, of Spotsylvania, was issued a summons Friday, following an investigation by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office. The school division confirmed Monday that Sheetz had been placed on administrative leave in accordance with school board policies.

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"Spotsylvania County Public Schools is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and drug-free workplace and learning environment," a school division spokeswoman told Patch. "Violation of School Board policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal."

School Division Notifies Parents

The spokeswoman said Sheetz was placed on administrative leave under School Board policies GBEA and GBEA-R, which the division is following in its response to the incident.

The school division also notified parents of students who attended Sheetz's class.

"We did share a communication with the parents who have students that attended his class," the spokeswoman said.

The division did not disclose whether Sheetz would face additional disciplinary action or when a final employment decision might be made.

School Resource Officer Investigates Report

The investigation began Friday when a school employee reported seeing a teacher purchasing alcohol while on his way to teach at Battlefield Middle School, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office.

School administrators alerted the school's resource officer, who worked with school staff to locate Sheetz's vehicle.

The officer observed two cases of beer and two open beer cans in plain view inside the vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.

While speaking with Sheetz, the officer detected the odor of alcohol on his breath. However, authorities said the teacher showed no signs of impairment and consented to a preliminary breath test.

The sheriff's office did not disclose the results of the breath test.

Following the investigation, Sheetz was issued a summons for possession of alcohol on school property.

The sheriff's office Child Victims Unit also assisted in the investigation. Authorities said the magistrate's office declined to issue additional charges.

The sheriff's office thanked the employee who initially reported the incident and school staff members who promptly notified the resource officer.

Anyone with information about criminal activity can contact Spotsylvania Crime Solvers at 540-582-5822 or 800-928-5822. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Spotsylvania Crime Solvers or P3 Tips.

Sheetz has been charged but has not been convicted of the offense.