Article: Montessori school comes together in light of drug allegations against administrator

Here's a story today about Rochester Montessori School and drug allegations against the executive director. Authorities have charged the director with growing marijuana at his home. Important points to note: everyone is innocent until proven guilty and no one has alleged any sort of drug use at the school.

I'll update with the actual online link once it goes live. -Elliot

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By Elliot Mann

Rochester Montessori School officials and parents met Wednesday night, as they tried to band together in light of drug allegations against the school’s executive director.

About 100 parents and staff members total came together, said Jeff Piepho, president of the school’s board of directors. Those in attendance had questions about how the school will proceed and expressed confidence in the board of directors.

But there were concerns, too, Piepho said.

Rochester Montessori School Executive Director Patrick Sheedy was charged July 16 with a fifth-degree controlled substance crime and gross misdemeanor possession of a weapon. Authorities claim that he has been growing a small amount of marijuana at his home.

Police on May 1 seized four pots with marijuana plants growing in them. They spotted the substances April 30, while investigating an alarm call at the home.

Sheedy is currently on a leave of absence from the school. Piepho could not comment about the personnel issues involving the director. But he said the school remains in good hands.

The school is finalizing an agreement to hire current admissions director Vicki Michael as interim director. She has been with the school for more than 15 years and also served as an interim director before Sheedy was hired about six years ago.

“The staff is still ready to work at 100 percent,” Piepho said. “We have a great environment, great kids and a great educational program for them.”

The school, located at 5099 Seventh St. N.W., has an enrollment of about 160 children.
“Nobody has left the school because of this and I think the community is pulling together very well, between the staff and the parents,” Piepho said.