[420 Girl]

IDAHO SPRINGS - He was a teacher and head football coach whose career came to an abrupt halt after being charged with smoking marijuana on school grounds.

Tony Villani worked at Clear Creek High School in Idaho Springs.

The alleged incident happened on Dec. 15. Villani resigned on Jan. 4. Parents just recently found out about the allegations.

The Clear Creek School District says it did not inform parents because students were not put in harms way, and because it is a personnel issue.

Villani was head football coach, JV basketball coach, a social studies teacher, and someone Dawn Dash's 17-year-old son looked up to.

"He was kind of an influential member of our school staff and our students," Dash said.

After Christmas break, Dash's son, who played football for Villani, came home and told her Villani was charged with smoking pot on school grounds.

"Shocked. I was very shocked. Especially, as much as he's influenced my son and other students that go to this district," Dash said.

Records show Villani received two charges: one for marijuana possession under an ounce, and another for public consumption/display of marijuana.

Clear Creek School District Superintendent Bill Patterson met with Villani after learning about the charges.

"Tony made a decision to resign from the school district," Patterson said.

Patterson will not say who reported Villani, but says Villani did show him documents claiming he was a medical marijuana patient.

Regardless, Patterson says the district's policy is no drugs allowed on school grounds.

"It's wrong, it's illegal. We have a drug-free zone for a reason. Tobacco is legal; you still can't have it on school property. So why should we be able to have medicinal marijuana on school property?" Dash said.

Dash is upset parents were not notified immediately.

Patterson says they were not told because the incident was a personnel and legal issue.

"I've been in our resource officer's office [in the school], where he says the best thing to do is lay it out on the table. That's what they need to do for our parents; that's what they need to do for us," Dash said.

No one answered the door at Villani's home on Wednesday, but 9NEWS did leave our contact information.

We also tried to get a comment over the phone, but our messages were not returned.

Villani's arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 23.


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