Teacher fired after pot arrest

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An Albuquerque middle school teacher lost her job Tuesday a week after police arrested her on charges of cultivating a marijuana farm in her home.

On Tuesday Albuquerque Public School officials said the disciplinary committee unanimously upheld the recommendation to terminate Kathi Hunter. APS said the decision is effective immediately.

Hunter was an eighth grade gifted teacher at Grant Middle School.

Albuquerque police said they got a tip that Hunter might have pot after her son was arrested for marijuana at his school, Jefferson Middle School.

Police searched Hunter's Ridgecrest-area home and said they found about a dozen mature pot plants along with harvested marijuana.

On Monday, the district held a disciplinary hearing to discuss Hunter's case. By Tuesday afternoon the committee unanimously decided she had to go.

Grant Middle School parents who spoke with News 13 said they were happy with the district's decision. One parent said it was a relief.

“If she's making decisions like that in her personal life, it makes me question what decisions she’s making as a teacher,” Megan Davis said.

It’s up to the state Public Education Department to determine if she will lose her teaching license all together.

A PED spokesperson said the ethics department is aware of the case but would not confirm if an investigation is underway.

Hunter posted her $5,000 cash-only bond during the weekend and is out of jail.

Police have not said if Hunter's son got the pot from her or if either of them is alleged to have been dealing the drug.