California Teacher Booked on Drug Charges

(Thermalito, California) A first-grade teacher at Sierra Avenue Elementary School, Dawn Vance-Crum, was arrested last week for allegedly possessing and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Thermalito Union School District Superintendent Julian Diaz said in a return phone call Thursday that Dawn Vance-Crumm was put on administrative leave, "and we'll see what comes up in court."

The 45-year-old first-grade teacher was arrested May 13 at Sierra Avenue School shortly after Butte County sheriff's officers responded to an 8:57 a.m. call that a teacher appeared to be under the influence of some kind of substance.

Diaz said the interview with officers and subsequent arrest did not occur in a classroom or in front of children.

"Fortunately, on this day there was no interaction with students," he said.

Vance-Crumm was booked into custody at the Butte County Jail and later released on an undisclosed bail amount.