NEW Schools chief Randy Dorn apologizes for drinking ... - Yakima Herald Republic

 

SEATTLE -- Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn, who was charged Wednesday with one count of drunken driving, apologized Thursday, saying in a written statement that he is deeply sorry for hurting his family, supporters and staff and failing to set a good example for schoolchildren across the state.

"I will work hard to earn back your trust, and I pledge that I will never make this mistake again," Dorn wrote.

Dorn gave more details about what he'd been doing in the hours leading to his arrest early Sunday in Orting.

Dorn said he had been at an annual crab feed and dance at the Swiss Sportsman Club Park in Bonney Lake, a club he said his family has long supported. He said he attended with his wife and sons and, as members, they stayed late to help clean up the hall.

"I drank beer during the event," he said, "but I thought I was capable of driving home. I now know that drinking any amount of alcohol before driving is an extremely poor choice."

According to police records, an officer in Orting initially stopped Dorn, 56, for investigation of speeding and for a defective taillight. But then the officer smelled alcohol. The report said Dorn took two sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test at the scene, and failed all three.

When Dorn got out of the car, the officer said he could smell a "strong odor of intoxicants" and observed that Dorn's "eyes were watery, droopy, bloodshot and his face was flushed."

In two breath tests done at the police station about an hour and a half later, Dorn's blood alcohol was reportedly 0.11 percent, higher than the legal limit of 0.08 percent. The report did not say if anyone else was in the car. Dorn's three sons are all adults.

The allegations have raised questions about Dorn's judgment as a public official, especially as the state's top schools official.

In his statement Thursday, Dorn said his attorney has asked the city of Orting to release all the documents related to the case, and that his first court hearing will be Friday, April 2.

He said he continues to go to work, although he will take a long-planned vacation next week.

Dorn was elected as the state's top school official in 2008. He oversees everything from state school funding to teacher certification and state exams. He also enforces education laws and advises the Legislature on education issues.

Some elected officials have weathered drunken-driving charges or convictions and remained in office. Former state Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge was one, and King County Councilmember Jane Hague is another. King County Assessor Scott Noble resigned, but he was charged with vehicular assault after he caused a head-on accident that injured two women, as well as himself.

Political consultants say a lot depends on the details of Dorn's case and how he handles the matter.

A drunken-driving conviction is a gross misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

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