Stevenson drug investigation could end next week, officials say
An investigation into possible drug sales at Stevenson High School is “winding down” and could conclude next week, a spokesman said Friday.
While not divulging how many students have faced campus disciplinary measures as a result of the investigation, Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey said most of the students being disciplined in the matter already have served their unspecified punishments.
No arrests have been made in the case, Lincolnshire police Chief Peter Kinsey said, nor have any arrest warrants been issued. Kinsey agreed with Conrey and said he hopes the case wraps up next week.
The investigation, which was made public this week, started in December when school officials received evidence of a student selling drugs at school, Conrey has said.
Text messages between students have been at the heart of the investigation, officials said. Armed with a subpoena, police began tracing text messages on the initial student's phone, Conrey said.
Educators confiscated the cellphones of other students, too.
Kinsey didn't know how many students have been interviewed in the case, and he did not have an estimate for the number of text messages police have reviewed as part of the investigation.
Local news reporters have been occupied with reports on the investigation, but the Stevenson community has not been obsessed with the matter. Administrators have received some calls from the public, Conrey said, but the number hasn't been overwhelming.
People supporting and opposing the school's investigation have made their feelings known on Facebook and Twitter. One person posing as Adolf Hitler sent the school a brief email, Conrey said.
“I would be pretty confident to say we've gotten more calls from the media than the community,” Conrey said.
The Stevenson High board is set to meet Monday, Feb. 13. Board member Merv Roberts expects the panel will talk about the investigation then.
“I think it would be appropriate for the board to make a statement, even if it's just ‘This is all we know,'” Roberts said.
Board member Terry Moons disagreed.
“It's a student disciplinary issue. It is nothing the board will be commenting on,” Moons said.
Moons doesn't feel the need to personally comment on the matter, either.
“I think our superintendent spoke for all of us,” she said, referring to Superintendent Eric Twadell's statement of earlier this week, which he posted on the district's website.
Board President Bruce Lubin said the panel will welcome any community members who want to share comments or ask questions about the investigation, although they may not be able to provide immediate answers.
“We're here to listen and do our best to respond,” Lubin said.
Stevenson officials are discussing hosting a forum about illegal drug use in the spring, Conrey said. Officials have held similar forums in the past.