Chris, could you explain how the process works? For example, was a jury involved in the decision or does the judge listen to opening arguments (or something similar) and make a decision on whether to proceed with the trial? Thanks for keeping the community informed.

I am glad to see that "innocent until proven guilty" still applies to our justice system. I wish it applied equally in the court of public opinion, but at least this should (hopefully) put an end to the pitchforks and torches.

Okay, so I'm confused who would be held responsible and what happened to the girl who had to be taken to the hospital and her parents? Was their other underage kids that were at the party? Was she the only one who was drinking? I haven't followed this case, was anyone help responsible? Too many questions. I'll try to read previous stories. Principals, teachers and underage kids drinking together certainly sounds like a no-no. At least in my book.

I had never met Tracey Sahouri prior to reading or hearing about this. I believed, from what I heard, that she was innocent. Since all of this has happened I have had the chance to talk to Tracey Sahouri. When speaking with her and hearing how she was handling a situation at the High School I knew that she should not be found guilty. The problem is the media. Sorry Hartland Patch, unfortunatly some medai outlets do not tell the whole story and that makes it hard for those who give us the facts. They tell you what they want to in order to make the story news worthy. We as an outsider we need to hear all the facts and not draw a conclusion until all the facts are out. So happy for the Sahouris.

ANYONE who knows Tracey or has had ANY contact with her knows what kind of person she is. Her reputation in our minds ( those of us who know her) continues to be nothing less than it was prior to all of this craziness as we never questioned what happened and how it was responded to by one of the most compassionate and caring people you could EVER have cross your path! There are many families and children at Creekside who are still very LOST without her.

Eventually, the truth always comes out. I am glad this family can have the situation put to rest. Shake the dust off, Mrs. Sahouri and enjoy the rest of the school year.

I am SO HAPPY for the Sahouri's and Tracey! Her reputation shouldn't have been tarnished and honestly, I think they should pursue civil action against that police department. I am praying that she can get her carrier back on track and not have to go through anymore drama from this. Congrats Tracey!!!
It's also nice to finally see some justice prevail for once too!!!

I am very happy to hear that the ticket was dismissed! Tracey has been missed by all of the Creekside families! Despite the "witch hunt", there were far more supporters of the Sahouri's than there were critics. I am glad that they can put this behind them and enjoy the rest of the school year!

Looking at the dirt Ms. Sahouri has brought unto Creekside, I wouldn't want my kid in that building, let alone school district.
And, I certainly wouldn't want to be on staff in the building with Sahouri as an administrator. The Patch article on the problem with the MEAP's has certainly convinced me of that.
How Sifferman can continue to protect and defend Sahouri is beyond me.
Again, only in Hartland!

The fact is that the charges were dismissed.
Another fact, teens are not logical beings, they do dumb things and hide them from their parents. Most parents silently supported the Sahouri's and thanked God above that it wasn't their kid who did something like this.
If you are at all honest with yourself this could happen to any one of us with teens.
Stop the attacks.

Interesting that you thought my post was aimed at you Stephanie-it was a general comment, not aimed at anyone.

It appears as though my hopes were wrong. Some people enjoy the warmth from the torch in their hand so much that they are still committed to the lynching, and will change their reasoning whenever needed. It's sad to watch, as they are embarrassing themselves and don't seem to realize it.

OK lets talk facts again nothing you say that Sahouri did seems out of line to me. I work in an industry that requires several audits each year. We prep, we debrief, we try to follow the auditors schedule but can't always. Every time they leave it costs us more in some way to do our jobs, new forms, new processes, new employees.
Not defending just pointing out some facts.
I don't think you are familiar wiht they ways of the world.

Clearly Stephanie has some kind of personal axe to grind with Sahouri, which is why she pursues this online vendetta.

The MEAP investigation says she opened the "top secret" MEAP documents early. So what? A staff member knew the writing prompt earlier than they should. So what? Did anyone coach the kids based on that information? No. No one's even suggested that. Again, so what?

Tracy is a caring, dedicated school administrator. The best in the district, and I've interacted with them all. We're very lucky to have her in the district.

Michele,
it's my understanding the police present the evidence to the prosecuting attorney's office and that office makes the decision to prosecute or not.
Per a statement in the December 11, 2011 Tri County Times, the special assistant prosecutor, John Potbury stated, "After reviewing all the available evidence, we have determined we cannot sustain our burden of proof." I don't know what additional evidence Mr. Potbury is referencing but it ended the prosecution of the Sahouri's
The police and legal system did it's job, nothing more, nothing less.
Regarding your question about the involved minor, I read she was not prosecuted as she was deemed the victim in this situation.

LOL, yes, I spend my hour's sharpening my ax waiting for the Hartland administration to do something else inappropriate.

The VICTIM? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The Sahouri's were the victims here.
Seems to me that the teenager has some very lacking critical thinking skills and poor judgement. Maybe that came from her parents? She hid alcohol and consumed it herself.

Somebody appears to have a special agenda against Sifferman & Sahouri judging from the poison pen commentary.

FACT: drinking case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
FACT: state conducted an audit of the MEAP handling and needed corrections are being implemented.

I haven't seen/heard of any evidence proving intentional wrong-doing. If evidence comes up otherwise, then appropriate action should be taken against the guilty party. The veiled sarcasm and supposition should be taken offline. It may seem fun & easy to roast someone from the safety of your keyboard, but both these individuals have strong long-term records and should be provided appropriate respect.

Mr. Rice,
apparently you haven't read the report written by the Michigan Department of Education. This report, in part, states teachers were afraid to broach concerns regarding the MEAP for fear of losing their employment (what a great work environment that must have been) Ms. Sahouri left the investigative staff waiting while Sahouri conducted "impromptu" meetings with "select" staff. Ms. Sahouri "compromised" the investigation by having the investigators conduct interviews in an office adjacent to her's. Ms. Sahouri personally escorted staff and didn't present them in the order as requested by the investigators. Ms. Sahouri "interrupted" several interviews and "debriefed" staff after meeting with investigators. She finally approached the investigators asking why certain questions were being asked.
There then is a list of 5 remediation items Creekside will have now have to follow.
I may be incorrect but I believe this will cost the school district $10,000.00
I can't respect behaviors that contributed to or condoned the above.

Unlike many posting in this thread, I can't support the decisions made by either Sahouri or Sifferman. If you don't like my opinion, there's always the delete key (I'll be using it). My opinion is unlike most that post here so that's why the call for censorship, the false accusations, and bullying tactics. If this is the majority, Hartland schools will not improve for the betterment of the children. What a sad commentary!

Thank you Kim.

Think it's important to keep the big picture in mind here: Hartland school district is providing an excellent education to my kids and majority of the staff is caring and committed. One person monopolizing a message board with their own sour grapes doesn't make them representative of the community.

Stephanie-So sorry you felt I was bullying you. That was not the case. I see tfrom the posts over and over again you assume that investigation equals guilt. Your logic is flawed I was taking a guess about the reason for the flawed logic.

Tracey Sahouri was a great educator way back in the 90's when she began her teaching career at Flushing. I loved working with her!! It is always interesting to me that some people jump on the gossip bandwagon and run and run and run... DB