School district ponders staff booze ban

NASCHITTI, N.M. (AP) - Central Consolidated School District board members are considering banning alcohol possession for teachers and staff who live in district housing on the Navajo Nation.

The Farmington Daily Times reports that the current policy prohibits employees from possessing or consuming alcohol while on the clock in the district's 17 schools or dozens of facilities. But it doesn't govern what employees do on their own time, in their own homes.

Tse' Bit' Ai Middle School principal Colleen Bowman says the problem is all district-owned housing rented to employees is on the Navajo Nation, where alcohol is prohibited.

The propose change comes after school board president Matthew Tso was arrested in July for public intoxication in Shiprock. Tso has pleaded not guilty and requested that the case be moved.