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The Foothill High School teacher arrested on drug charges in October was caught smoking oxymorphone, a narcotic, in her car, court records show.
Stephanie Deffner, 32, was arrested at about 3:40 p.m. Oct. 26 — not long after school let out — during a police stakeout of the Springtown Motel in Livermore. The stakeout was for another woman selling drugs out of a motel room. That woman joined Deffner in Deffner’s car where the two were observed heating aluminum foil to smoke the drug, according to court records.
In a search, Deffner was found to be in possession of oxymorphone and a single methadone pill.
Deffner remains free on bond pending a court appearance Jan. 5. The prosecutor in the case noted that she is eligible for a drug diversion sentence, which could expunge her record.
A report that Deffner was dismissed last week by the school board apparently was in error, although the board did place an unnamed teacher on an extended leave of absence, according to Bill Faraghan, the school district’s Human Resources Director. That action, taken in a closed session of the board meeting, was believed to involve Deffner although Faraghan and board members were not allowed to discuss a personnel matter nor could they identify the individual.
Last week the Pleasanton Police Department also listed the following information in its log of incident reports.
DEC. 14
Theft
– 11:23 a.m. in the 6600 block of Owens Drive; grand theft
– 7:41 pm. in the 1500 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; petty theft
– 8:27 p.m. in the 600 block of Del Sol Avenue; petty theft
Assault with a deadly weapon
– 10:55 p.m. at the intersection of Hopyard Road and Inglewood Drive
Burglary
– 9:58 p.m. in the 4600 block of Chabot Drive
Auto burglary
– 6:46 a.m. in the 4400 block of Sutter Gate Avenue
– 8:09 a.m. in the 2400 block of Skylark Way
Auto break-in
– 7 a.m. in the 4100 block of Morganfield Court
Drug/alcohol violations
– 1:53 a.m. in the 6400 block of Owens Drive; public drunkenness
– 6:02 a.m. in the 4300 block of Hacienda Drive; marijuana possession
– 11:55 a.m. in the 1100 block of Santa Rita Road; possession of a non-narcotic controlled substance for sale, possession of a non-narcotic controlled substance, possessing a weapon on school grounds, possession of marijuana for sale, marijuana possession
DEC. 15
Theft
– 9:52 a.m. in the 5000 block of Hopyard Road; petty theft
– 11:57 a.m. in the 2700 block of Laramie Gate Circle; petty theft
– 2:52 p.m. in the 1000 block of Harvest Circle; grand theft
– 3:09 p.m. in the 6700 block of Bernal Avenue; petty theft
– 4:57 p.m. in the 7500 block of Stonedale Drive; identity theft
Burglary
– 4:49 p.m. in the 4500 block of Rosewood Drive; burglary, auto burglary
Auto burglary
– 8:09 p.m. in the 300 block of Main Street
Vandalism
– 1:08 a.m. in the 400 block of Division Street
– 1:03 p.m. in the 900 block of Sycamore Road
– 1:05 p.m. in the 300 block of Happy Valley Road
– 1:39 p.m. in the 4400 block of Willow Road
DEC. 16
Theft
– 8:42 a.m. in the 1300 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; petty theft
– 9:48 a.m. at the Pleasanton BART station; petty theft
– 9:55 a.m. in the 5900 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; petty theft
– 4:17 p.m. in the 4700 block of Hopyard Road; forgery
– 8:07 p.m. in the200 block of Kottinger Road; identity theft
Bomb threat
– 8:26 p.m. in the 4500 block of Rosewood Drive
Vandalism
– 10:15 a.m. in the 700 block of Bonita Avenue
Drug/alcohol violations
– 12:47 a.m. at the intersection of Foothill Road and Bernal Avenue; DUI
– 1:46 a.m. at the intersection of Sutter Gate Avenue and Santa Rita Road; public drunkenness
– 2:46 p.m. in the 5600 block of Owens Drive; marijuana possession
– 11:33 p.m. at the intersection of Hopyard Road and W. Las Positas Boulevard; DUI
– 11:49 p.m. at the intersection of First Street and Spring Street; DUI
DEC. 17
Theft
– 11:31 a.m. in the first block of Tehan Canyon Road; petty theft
– 4:28 p.m. in the 5500 block of Springdale Avenue; auto theft
Vandalism
– 5:05 p.m. in the 1000 block of Stoneridge Mall Road
Public drunkenness
– 9:49 p.m. in the 100 block of Neal Street
DEC. 18
Robbery
– 6:21 p.m. in the 3100 block of Santa Rita Road
Alcohol violations
– 12:30 a.m. in the 200 block of Kottinger Road; underage drinking on private property, public drunkenness, battery
DEC. 19
Theft
– 1:36 p.m. in the 1000 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, auto burglary, flight from police
– 4:05 p.m. in the 1000 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; theft
– 7:45 p.m. in the 1500 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; petty theft
Burglary
– 4:05 p.m. in the 3400 block of Boulder Street
Weapons possession
– 8:26 p.m. in the 3800 block of Vineyard Avenue
Drug/alcohol violations
– 3:28 p.m. in the 4500 block of Rosewood Drive; public intoxication, drugs
– 10:55 p.m. at the intersection of Hopyard Road and Valley Trails Drive; public drunkenness
DEC. 20
Auto burglary
– 3:02 p.m. in the 5900 block of Stoneridge Mall Road
Vandalism
– 7:26 a.m. in the 4300 block of Black Avenue
– 3:32 p.m. at the intersection of 37.6779724 and -121.913674
– 3:35 p.m. at Corte de Flores
The drug diversion program is an outstanding alternative to incarceration. Will she be allowed back into the classroom when she completes the program?
Mike
If a teacher completes a drug diversion program, is her state teaching credential in jeopardy?
What does a drug diversion program entail? Does it involve mandated treatment for alcohol/drug abuse? How long? If she is placed on diversion, will she be ordered to have a weekly blood test?
Was the teacher involved with other teachers/students and purchasing her drugs on a school campus? I have no idea how long she has been using drugs but if there are any cognitive deficits, is she capable of returning to a class immediately, just because she participates in a drug diversion program. Depending on what, how much and how long she may have been using, will likely help determine whether her teaching credential is revoked or she is placed on probation. just curious…
This teacher’s circumstance lands in the gray area of whether or not her credential will be pulled. Most likely her credential has been suspended for the time being. Teachers don’t take into consideration that something such as a DUI or shoplifting can cause one’s credential to be revoked. Any one can search the CTC website and read up on this but nothing is black and white for this teacher. The best outcome for her would be that she keeps her credential but every time she has to renew her credential or applies to a district, she will have to disclose this information.
Personally, this teacher shouldn’t ever teach again- no matter how well she taught. She was a community role model and she shouldn’t get the “Lindsey Lohan” way out. One can only speculate how long she has/was addicted, but seeing that she was smoking it on a foil sheet with a dealer in a parking lot in Springtown…my guess is she’s been going at this for quite some time. People don’t wake up one day, go to work (for her teaching) and then decide to go ‘free base’.
You can go on the CA teacher credential website and look anyone up. As of now it says she holds a credential until 8/2014, but I’m sure they are waiting on the outcome of court.
I agree with Teacher’s comment. It sounds as though she had a problem for quite some time. Hopefully she will get the help she needs.
Hopefully, she will receive the best possible treatment available. Her addiction is a down hill course…hopeless. It’s possible her to someday return to a productive and fulfilling life. Hope she is willing to do the work. It’s going to be difficult.
Being caught smoking hardcore drugs with a crankster dealer demonstrates that Deffner was involved heavily in drugs. She should have her credential suspended until she completes a diversion program and submits to random drug tests.
Can anyone tell me why Home Depot employees are subject to random drug tests, but teachers, who spend up to 7 hours a day with your kids, are not drug tested at all? This story is an example how the people should start demanding random drug tests for all teachers. I would love to hear opinions from those who object.
beginning to think the drug sniffing dogs need to be used on the teachers too in the high schools.
Two part topic.
As a person who who worked hard to get her degree and apparently had passion to work with our youth, I wish her strength to overcome the horrors of addiction. It sounds like she is well down a path that is very difficult to climb back out of.
As a teacher of our youth, I think there needs to be a stronger stance. Credential revoked. No expungement of record. Teachers are role models, like it or not, and the actions taken with this situation are also models for our youth. Random, if not weekly, drug testing is a must. There are plenty of eager teachers who are waiting for jobs and should be given a chance.
Who do you want teaching your kids? OH…that’s right. The Union decides that, not US.
Random, you already know the answer to your question about drug testing…..the teachers union opposes it. Whose interest are they really looking out for? (hint: it’s not the students or parents).
Apparently, they don’t think drug abuse is a problem amongst their ranks….
I hope she decides to work on her addiction and that she is successful. Addiction is a terrible challenge in one’s life.
At best, it would be a distraction to students having her as their teacher. This seems like a good test to see where the union’s interests are – those paying into the union or the students. Hopefully the union will act in the best interest of students.
If she can overcome her addiction there are many ways that she can contribute to teaching others how to find success.
Random, they’re probably not drug tested because of union protections…you know, the union is ALL about the teachers whose tenure rights far exceed the rights of their students….they only PROFESS to care about. Few are willing to ‘step up’ and ‘out’ and condem the ‘bad’ teachers….silence, denegrates all. Time for a tiny bit of integrity in teacher unions, not just campaign lies ‘about the children’.
(like the nurses lies about ‘it’s for the patients’).
Don’t buy the lie.
You’ve now got Teachers on Drugs, Teachers having Sex with other Teachers, Drug sniffing Dogs roaming the Campuses, an out of control School Budget, when are the people of this City going to replace the School Board with Members that are going to execute for their Citizens?
Strike one – your out!
So she will probably get her job back and the new teacher that has been working with the kids since this incident happened ( and that the kids actually prefer )will get thrown out to the curb. This entire situation is so screwed up.
Bill,
She agreed to the rules when she took the job.
Mike
That’s what I meant.
In the military she would be dishonorably discharged within days. In the private sector she would be fired on the spot.
Hence one strike, and one strike only. Hearing should be only to tell her not to let the door hit her on the way out.
Hey, I hope she gets the help she needs too but she’s done teaching my kids! No freaking way I want my kids in a classroom knowing that their teacher is addicted to Oxy. You lose your credibility and you ain’t teaching my kids when you screw up like that. She might be the nicest woman in the world and I honestly feel a little sympathy for those with addictions but as far as teaching goes…..YOU’RE DONE!
I hope she is able to accept the help that people are going to provide her and is able to have the courage to keep working on whatever program is put in front of her. The best outcome would be that she recovers and is able to come back to the three high schools in town and talk with the students about how poor choices and addiction can affect their lives in ways they don’t understand yet. If she can convince just a few students to stop or never start drugs or alcohol, then her arrest was worth it. Best of luck to her (and her family that has also been affected by her addiction).
I’ve had enough and am pulling my daughter out of PUSD and am not putting her back in any government school.
I will either dig deeper into my savings to put her in private school or will homeschool her. There are many many wonderful resources available these days for homeschooling. And she will not be deprived of opportunities to socialize with those she wants to.
For those interested… here is one of many many homeschooling resources. http://www.homeschool.com/welcome/
Also, for those interested, here is a curriculum resource guide for K-8 and 9-12 from the Hillsdale Academy. >>> http://www.hillsdale.edu/academy/academics/curriculum.asp
Bye bye PUSD and your teachers union.
Dear Done with PUSD I hate to burst your bubble but drugs are also in every private school your best bet would be home schooling, and believe me I have done it as well and if you are not ready for the challenge you may become the drug addict after a long week of trying to get your own children to listen and learn. I have 4 children I too thought public school was not the route to take bec of the drugs and influences, my son had good friends, from nice families, some were well off some were average a good mix. He was an athlete like most his friends, little did I know this group of friends had access to money,drugs,alcohol. My son overdosed 2 years ago, he is alive but in a vegetative state and I will never ever ever have my little boy back like he was before. Don’t think that condemning the public school system that you would be better off, just be available, aware and involved that is the best we can do as parents. Good luck.
For the teacher, i beieve she has a chance to make a change in her life, I agree that change should also include teaching, she definitely is not a person any parent would want teaching their child, I am sure she can agree to that statement.
Deffner taught one of my kids. She was terrible. It was her first year teaching at Amador, and several of us parents complained about her lack of interest in really teaching….to no avail. I had my kid yanked at the end of the semester. Too bad PUSD was not on the ball back then. Reminds me of several other teachers they had to deal with.
Ummmm I’m sorry, but there’s no way she should ever be teaching kids again. I’d raise hell if I ever found out a child of mine was placed in her class. What child or parent could ever respect this woman? Not me or mine. My children deserve way better than this crackhead and PUSD has laid off many really good teachers and kept Ms. Meth here employed.
Now I’m sure the teacher’s union is going to support her keeping her job, but in all honesty, if parents in this town flat refuse to allow their children to be in their class, what can the union really do? I seriously would refuse to send mine to school and cost the school a ton of money before id ever let this lady teach my kids. What’s next, should we let Debra Lafave (sp?) back in front of a class too?
Fuck all you losers. This town is a bunch of snobs who either ignore the drug problem, or pretend as if some silly rehab is gonna fix that. Deffner deserves to rot in the joint. I spent 4 years in that stupid school watching idiots dope up, drink up, shoot up, and everything under the sun. The stupid teachers are complacent in the whole matter, and idiots like Dwyer make me question the intelligence of the PUSD. You give your stupid kids the money, the vehicles, you leave your liquor unprotected, and you just let your kids run off without any real attention to where they might be going, or what they might be doing. And some of you know your kids do all this bad shit, but you don’t even do anything about it, you would like to blame it on bad influences but the reality points some of the guilt on you. I avoided all that crap for 4 years, just to go to college and be reunited with the same crap. If that’s not bad enough, your stupid kids (who i can name and point pictures too) drive up to the back of my street to make drug deals. Mrs. Deffner was doping up for a long time, I had her last year right before I got out of that school, and we all knew what she was doing. She would make us wait 15 minutes before entering the class on a hot summer day, simply because she was out in her stupid sports car, getting high. The dumb teachers union won’t allow drug testing or any searches of teacher property, even when people like me come forward and speak up about the obvious illicit activities. All this bullshit is the fault of the people who feel “victimized.” Captain Hindsight comes to mind.