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School employee is charged with DUI

A testing coordinator at Chocachatti Elementary could face disciplinary action if he is convicted, a district spokesman says.

By DUANE BOURNE
Published February 2, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - A Hernando County school district employee could lose his driving privileges for a year after his arrest Monday night on suspicion of driving under the influence.

David Katcher, 44, was about 2 miles from his home at 4943 Hazner St. in New Port Richey when he was pulled over by a police officer and charged with DUI.

An educator for 17 years, Katcher was hired as a teacher by the school district in 1999. He had worked with gifted students until last August, when he became a testing coordinator at Chocachatti Elementary School, one of the district's magnet schools.

The Hernando County School District may take disciplinary action against Katcher if he is convicted of the charge, Barbara Kidder, the district's director of labor relations and professional standards said.

A New Port Richey police officer was conducting speed enforcement about 11:55 p.m. Monday when he clocked a white Volvo traveling 58 mph in a 45-mph zone. After pulling over on U.S. 19 and Avery Road, Katcher sat inside the vehicle motionless. His breath smelled of alcohol, the arrest report stated.

Suspecting that Katcher might be under the influence of alcohol, the police officer asked him to step out of the car. When Katcher did so, he swayed on his feet. He later refused to take a field sobriety test or breath test, saying he would pay the consequences for his mistake, the report said.

Katcher told police he had three beers at a friend's house. Katcher's license will be suspended for one year for refusing to take the battery of tests, records show.

On Tuesday afternoon, Katcher was being held at the Central Pasco Detention Center in Land O'Lakes in lieu of $500 bail.

[Last modified February 2, 2005, 19:37:58]