Teacher, coach resigns
LOWELL ” Lowell High School teacher and wrestling coach Mark Line has submitted a letter of resignation in light of an alcohol-related incident last week.
School Superintendent Alice Neal said sometime during the school day last Friday, Line entered the assistant principal’s office with two students after breaking up a fight.
While in the office, the assistant principal smelled alcohol on Line’s breath and a Breathalyzer test was conducted.
The test found a blood-alcohol level of .062 percent. Neal said that while a person is considered drunk in Indiana at .08 percent, “The consumption of alcohol in a school is not acceptable. Period.”
Line was placed on a paid administrative leave pending further investigation by school officials. Neal said it wasn’t known whether Line consumed alcohol on school property, or prior to reporting to work.
On Tuesday, Line submitted a letter of resignation. The School Board will vote to accept the resignation next Thursday.
Line did not return calls seeking comment.
Line was to accompany wrestlers Ethan Winel and Max Znika to the individual state finals this weekend in Indianapolis. Freshman coach Trent Staggs will make the trip instead.
The search has started to fill Line’s position as a science teacher. “If that person is also able to coach wrestling, that will be a plus,” Neal said. But the recommendation for a new coach, she said, will ultimately be made by Don Bales, the athletic director.
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