Supt. Posts Bond for Teacher Charged With DUI

A South Pittsburg teacher has been charged with D-U-I. And you may be surprised about who posted her bond. The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested Shannon Michaels early Saturday December 19th for D-U-I. Her boss, the Superintendent of Marion County Schools, posted her $2,000 bond. That bond was higher than typical for D-U-I because she didn't take the breath test and was also charged with an implied consent violation.

Trooper Scott Lewis says another driver noticed Michaels driving erratically on I-24 West just after midnight that morning. Lewis says he pulled in behind her at the Jasper exit and stopped her after she crossed the fog line several times and was drifting.

Superintendent Mark Griffith says Michaels teaches government to 7th and 8th graders at South Pittsburg high and is an outstanding teacher.

Griffith added she is innocent until proven guilty and Michaels did not ask him to post her bond. The superintendent says a law enforcement officer contacted him.

He then got in touch with the Sheriff's Department and Clerk of Courts, Evelyn Griffith, who is also his aunt and posted the bond. School is closed for the holidays and Griffith was out of town. We asked him by phone if people in the community might find it odd that he posted her bond.

Griffith responded, "I wouldn't care to post a bond for any of my teachers. I don't find it odd at all. It was just one of those things, it was during the Holiday season, just trying to be compassionate and help an employee."

Remember, Michaels has only been charged. But her status with the school system will be reviewed. This matter will be discussed by the school board after her court case has run its course.

Michaels has not responded to messages seeking comment on the story.