Warsaw, N.Y. — A year and a half old DWI arrest is raising some questions for Warsaw residents.
Warsaw Central Schools Superintendent Valerie Burke was arrested on May 21, 2011 in Rochester. Court records show she was charged with DWI, but Burke pled down to DWAI or Driving While Ability Impaired, a violation.
She was fined $300 and ordered to complete 36 hours of community service, plus attend a Victims’ Impact Panel and attend a drinking and driving program.
Although the arrest happened more than a year ago, the Warsaw community is just now finding out about their superintendent’s arrest.
The district says that Burke is currently away on planned leave but says she is still employed with the school district.
13WHAM News spoke with several people in Warsaw about the arrest. Some people said that Burke shouldn’t be punished by district because people do make mistakes. However, not everyone felt the same. Other residents said superintendents are held to a higher standard.
“Being that she has such a high position in the school, you would think that they would be would be a little more careful and set an example for our children and this doesn’t,” says Warsaw parent Lisa Seewalt.
Many people also wondered why the news of the arrest is just now coming to light.
On Thursday, the Warsaw School Board held a special meeting but Burke and her drinking and driving arrest were not addressed public. The superintendent’s assistant says there is no comment on the future of Burke’s job with the district.
