Cobb County high school teacher off the job after arrest for drinking alcohol on campus

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Updated ·2 min read
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A Cobb County teacher who was arrested last week for drinking alcohol on campus is no longer employed with the school, according to the district.

Jason Hammett, who is listed as a geography teacher at Kennesaw Mountain High School on the school’s website, was charged with misdemeanor alcohol possession on school grounds.

Hammett was found to have an open bottle of whiskey inside his car on campus and a soda bottle filled with whiskey inside the classroom, according to his arrest warrant.

Hammett was caught on camera throwing away an empty Crown Royal Whiskey bottle inside a dumpster behind the school, according to the arrest warrant.

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That bottle was later found by the assistant principal.

On Monday, Cobb County Schools released a statement indicating that Hammett is no longer employed, but did not say if he was fired.

“Cobb Schools police and local administration are working with the police investigation regarding the suspicion of a now former staff member being intoxicated on campus,” officials said. “We expect all employees to support students as professionals and uphold District policy.”

“That’s not okay and if anybody thinks that(’s) okay and he shouldn’t be reprimanded for it, obviously they do things like that themselves,” nearby resident Cindy Martin said.

A Kennesaw police officer administered an alcohol test and Hammett blew a .178, according to the arrest warrant.

Police said that Hammett smelled like alcohol.

“There’s no good reason, no good excuse. It’s pretty upsetting,” Robert Turner, who lives in the neighborhood, said. “Your position in life is really great, very important to be a teacher, especially at a high school. That’s right before adulthood. This is the most vulnerable time.”

“I think he should be fired because no one should drinking in schools taking care of children,” Martin said.

Hammett posted bail on Tuesday, according to arrest records.

A spokesperson for the Cobb County School District issued the following statement: “Cobb Schools police and local administration are working with the police investigation regarding the suspicion of a now former staff member being intoxicated on campus. We expect all employees to support students as professionals and uphold District policy.”

Less than one month ago, a paraprofessional was accused of having alcohol inside a reusable plastic cup in an elementary school classroom. She no longer works for the Cobb County School District.

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