School Board needs to investigate Flores-Lewis

Former Husker Fullback Lance Lewis facing
multiple drug felony charges

I write this with a note of somberness. I know Lance Lewis, mostly in passing after a day's work when we would swap stories over a glass of suds in one of the local pubs. I did not know him that well, nor certainly to the degree that would have understood or predicted he would be the kind of person who would purchase or use hashhish or pot.

Having said that, If he broke the law, the minimum punishment he should get is to be banned from dealing with kids. It is hard to believe that the quantity he had in his possession was solely for personal use. I also find his statement improbable that he sold portions periodically to pay for gas.

Perhaps more disturbing that Lewis' possession of such a quantity of drugs, is the statement that his wife, Tanya Flores-Lewis, a school board member, had knowledge of such prior possession and use. Where was the duty to the kids in the school system to prevent Lewis, a past Husker footballer, from being placed in situations whereby he could potentially influence these kids.

The school board has a duty to investigate this statement and to examine Flores-Lewis's knowledge of the statement provided by her husband to authorities during his arrest. If true, the school board member should apologize for failing to protect the students of the school district and she should be asked to resign or removed by the board for this gross dereliction of duty. I would even go further to suggest that the school board should commence its own investigation into whether or not the Lewis' received any gas funds originating from a student.

I am truly sad to learn of this turn of events, but the duty of the school board and the is clear. Once found guilty of these charges, or any lesser versions thereto from them, Lewis should be banned from any interaction with Sidney Public school children as a coach, mentor or life advisor until such time as he can demonstrate a contrite heart and get himself cleaned up. Flores-Lewis just needs to resign before someone's litigious parents connect Lewis to their drug-abusing teen.