Principal charged with throwing yard tool at officer
When police arrested the principal of Honeysuckle Middle School recently during a drug trafficking investigation involving her son, they say she threw a yard tool toward one of the investigating officers.
According to court records, Taylor police charged Patricia Slaughter, 58, of Alabama Highway 52, with misdemeanor interfering with a governmental operation and resisting arrest. Slaughter was arrested May 17 at her home while Taylor police investigated her 28-year-old son, Jason Slaughter.
Records show police charged her with obstruction by intentionally throwing a metal yard tool from the door in the garage all the way across the garage, hitting the floor within two feet of the officer. Records show she was also charged with intentionally attempting to prevent Officer Mike Stacey from arresting her.
Taylor police were assisted by Houston County Sheriff’s deputies and Dothan police when authorities arrested Jason Slaughter, shortly before Patricia Slaughter’s arrest, during a traffic stop near the family home on Highway 52. During Jason Slaughter’s arrest, police seized about 6 ounces of smokable methamphetamine, $2,300 in cash and a semi-automatic handgun from a vehicle he occupied with Charla D. Thomas. Jason Slaughter and Thomas were each charged with trafficking meth.
Both of the charges filed against Patricia Slaughter are misdemeanor crimes.
District Attorney Doug Valeska said Patricia Slaughter faces up to a year in the Houston County Jail and up to a $6,000 fine if convicted of the class A misdemeanor of interfering with a government operation. She also faces up to six months in jail and up to a $3,000 fine if convicted of resisting arrest, a class B misdemeanor.
Slaughter, who has served 22 years in the Dothan City Schools, has been placed on paid administrative leave as principal of the school.
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Reader Reactions
That is even more of a reason to set an example. Educators are human like anyone else. However, I think it is safe to say that in today’s society, we are seeing more fallacy than ever. You do not need to post your credentials to me. It means nothing if you can’t write properly and pose an argument with focus. As far as you not taking the responsibility of your own health, this should be priority over everything. How can you be effective when you are not getting the bifocals you need! Finally, colleges will produce graduates, but that does not mean they will produce leaders.
123bok, You are right about the need for me to proofread. That’s another reason I need to realize that it’s time for bifocals. It has been something that I have been trying to avoid.
As being “incompetent”, I personally do not think I should be judged for being “incompetent” for a mistake in proofreading especially on a newspaper forum. Just for your information, I graduated summa cum laude in 1979 from the University of Florida with BS in elementary education and in 1981 from Auburn University with my masters degree in gifted education.
Teacher,
Then if you teach “stereotyping” then at least spell it right. It shocks me that even though we are on a newspaper forum that you wouldn’t take the time and effort to proofread your post. Just a prime example of the downgrading in the educational system at present. If you are an “educator” then at least take the time to use basic writing skills that are accurate! This is what I am talking about “incompetent”.
I totally agree with the fact that the principal at H.M.S. is not an appropriate principal for any school after her offenses. I know as my Mom has always said ..“but by the grace of God go any of us”. No one knows how they will react. We do strange things to protect our children. Yes, it is easy sitting on this side of the fence, judging others. As for educators, there is this vocabulary word that I teach in my classroom—-sterotyping. Why do some people sterotype ALL educators as doing harm to their children. I know and I have had to go to court with some extremely unfit parents…BUT do I say ALL parents are unfit…NO!!!!!!!!!! All educators are not BAD!!!!!!!!!!!! There are so many wonderful PUBLIC educators. Why do they have to be put-down and ridiculed for those who do wrong?????
There was once upon a time that educators were respected. Now, not very often. We, educators, wonder why children spit in our face when we ask them to turn to complete an assignment (let me say it has been said in the most positive tone of voice) Maybe it’s because the parents have done the same. As for home schooling to each his own. I know it would have never worked for my children. Do I say it isn’t for some?? NO! Each child is an individual. However, there are CONS against homeschooling. I guess my point is…...There are great public educators in our school system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think we can pretty much all agree that Ms. Slaughter has made some very poor choices.
When you have someone in your family that has turned to drugs, the rest of the family has a choice. You can either show tough love and stick by your decision or you can enable them—cover up for them, make excuses, hide them.
She consciencely made a choice. Now she must deal with the fallout.
I believe the saying goes: she made her bed and now she has to lay in it.
What amazes me about our school system is the fact that one child can hit another child and both children are disciplined. These principals want to hold our children to a high standard and here they cannot control themselves and their actions.
These educators must show that they are here for our children and that they have made this their mission, but it does not seem to be working out that way. 2 principals in about 3 to 4 months. WOW!!!!!
What about some positve articles abiut the education system such as Teacher of the Year at Honeysuckle Middle School.
Actually there is an estimated 3 million children being home schooled in the United States. Due to incompetent educators, bullies, violence, and too much government control, it has caused a wave of parents to rethink their children’s education. If any parent is considering this, I encourage you to continue on with it 
It seems the principals are “GONE WILD” ...geez I guess home school will be on a lot of parents list in the future. Can’t trust anybody with your kids these days.
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