McKeesport school custodian accused of having drugs on middle school campus
McKEESPORT, Pa. (KDKA) -- Another McKeesport Area School District employee is in trouble.
A school custodian is facing charges after police say he was caught with drugs on the campus of the district's Founders Hall Middle School.
Police say Jason Tom was caught with more than 250 bags of suspected heroin or fentanyl outside of the Founders Hall administration parking lot after 1 a.m. on Aug. 30.
According to police, one of Tom's family members told them that he was a school janitor.
"For me, it's not healthy if you have kids here. It's not a good example for kids. It should not be on any school premises," explained Loshiel Bose.
While this happened in late August, charges were recently filed.
The officer said when they engaged with Tom, he told them he just wrapped up work.
Investigators claim he was behaving weirdly, and they started asking questions. Tom admitted after multiple denials that he had drugs on him and was an addict.
Parents aren't judging him for having a problem. They stress that this just isn't the place.
"Obviously, that's not something we want around our kids." Christine Druga said. "I'm glad he got caught, and it's being taken care of, but I wish it was something it didn't have to be."
Druga said this could've been prevented.
"It's something the school should have caught. I think any employees that are dealing with the school should be tested before they're hired, so if he's addicted, maybe he shouldn't be here."
Parents and community members believe there should be changes to school policies.
Tom is facing possession charges and a preliminary hearing is set for late October.
KDKA-TV reached out to the district to inquire about his work status but did not hear back.
School police chief Brenda Sawyer arrested
Brenda Sawyer, the district's police chief, was arrested and is accused of stealing thousands of dollars to fuel a gambling addiction.
Sawyer, who was the regional director for the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics, is charged with stealing from that agency to use the money at local casinos.
Police say she took almost $125,000 in drug money over the past five years.
Last week, the district board voted to hire Raymond Andrekanic as the school's acting police chief.
Superintendent Tia Wanzo resigns amid sex abuse scandal
Former Superintendent Tia Wanzo resigned on the first day of the school year, eight months after a district security guard was charged for having a relationship with a 16-year-old student.
A special counsel report cited Wanzo and four other district employees for failing to report the alleged sexual relationship in a timely manner.
Allegations involving band booster volunteer under investigation
As McKeesport Area School District remains under the microscope for two investigations involving district employees, new allegations are now under investigation involving a band booster volunteer.
The district's solicitor says the school is not in control of band booster funds, but said that McKeesport Police are investigating.