ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, January 4, 1996              TAG: 9601040062
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-1  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER 

TEACHER RECEIVES HER JUST DESSERTS

THE DRAMA TRIP DOUGHNUT DISPUTE ended in vindication for a former Pulaski County teacher.

A former Pulaski County High School drama teacher and a Prince George County motel have settled a lawsuit arising from a dispute over doughnuts.

Rhonda Welsh had sought $500,000 in damages from Janet Williams, breakfast manager at the Colonial Heights Comfort Inn, and C.I. Associates, the motel's owner. She charged in the suit that Williams had slandered her and interfered with her school contract.

The settlement amount was not disclosed, but Welsh said Wednesday night that it made her feel vindicated. "My chaperones and myself are finally to be believed," she said.

The dispute occurred Dec. 11, 1994, while Welsh and her students were staying at the Comfort Inn during a drama trip. Welsh objected when Williams tried to ration the doughnuts her students could have at breakfast, which was included in the price of the motel stay.

Williams said Welsh screamed at her and threw doughnuts on the floor. Welsh said the incident had been blown out of proportion.

School Superintendent Bill Asbury and then-Principal Tom DeBolt suspended Welsh for 10 days without pay. Three parents and three students, testifying at Welsh's appeal, denied any such actions by Welsh. The School Board reduced her suspension to five days.

Welsh's students went on to win the state drama championship last January. A Pulaski restaurant sent 120 doughnuts to the school.

Welsh now teaches in Spottsylvania County. She said she'd had drama-teaching offers but prefers special education for now.

"While this was not a huge financial settlement, it did fully compensate Ms. Welsh for the temporary disruption to her life and career," said her lawyer, Joseph Steffen Jr. of Blacksburg. "Nonetheless, the Pulaski schools lost a great drama teacher to Northern Virginia in the process."

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