Scott Hazlett, the 40-year-old principal of Leto High School in Tampa, was placed on administrative leave following his arrest early Saturday morning. Hazlett is facing charges of misdemeanor driving under the influence, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony possession of cocaine, according to records from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office cited by ABC Action News.
The arrest came at a time when Hazlett had only recently been promoted to principal as celebrated in a post made by Hillsborough County Public Schools about a month ago, Bay News 9 reported. Hazlett, who began his career in the school district in 2007, was apprehended by the Temple Terrace Police Department after being observed driving 15 miles per hour over the speed limit. During the subsequent stop, officers noticed signs of impairment and found a bag containing a white powdery substance, confirmed to be cocaine, upon searching his vehicle.
Linda Unfried of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hillsborough County expressed her severe disappointment with Hazlett's actions, telling ABC Action News, "He made a really, really bad choice." Her advocacy for road safety spans decades, and she underscored the gravity of Hazlett's alleged offense as a school leader who is expected to be an example to his students.
In response to the incident, Hillsborough County Public Schools issued a statement, saying, "These allegations are deeply concerning, and we appreciate the prompt response from law enforcement. We understand the impact this may have on our students and staff... And we remain committed to providing them with the appropriate support during this time," as highlighted by Bay News 9. Hazlett was released from jail on a $3500 bond later that Saturday night.
The school district is currently working on determining who will lead Leto High School moving forward. As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding Hazlett's permanent replacement. This development comes just a week before the new school year is set to begin in Hillsborough County, according to WFLA.
