Anthony Giancola is escorted into a police car.

Photo by Jason Richards/WFLA Intern

By KEITH MORELLI
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – Van Buren Middle School Principal Anthony Giancola was arrested after police say he bought $20 worth of crack cocaine from an undercover officer in his office where he planned to smoke it.

Giancola, 40, is planning to resign, according to school officials.

Giancola told authorities he developed the crack habit in December after having some personal problems and was using $300 to $400 per day worth of the drug, according to Tampa Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy.

McElroy said Giancola made contact with an undercover officer a few days ago about buying $200 worth last night, but called and said he had a prior appointment and couldn’t make it. Giancola asked the undercover officer to come by the school with $20 worth of the drug.

The officer went to the principal’s office around 3 p.m. and sold Giancola the drug, McElroy said. The principal said he wanted to smoke it right there, but the officer demurred and said he didn’t feel comfortable and would leave. The principal walked the officer out to the school lobby where several other undercover officers were posing as parents, McElroy said.

They arrested Giancola on the spot and whisked him out of the school, McElroy said. He was charged with possession and solicitation to purchase the drug on school property.

McElroy said the officers tried to make the arrest as subtly as possible so as not to catch the attention of students. She said Giancola was cooperative and apologized to a bank of television reporters as he was led away.

School officials backed the police.

“We are being told the principal is resigning,’ MaryEllen Elia, school district superintendent said late Thursday. “We are in full support of the position the police took in handling this.’

“I’m very disappointed and upset,’” Elia said. “Obviously it’s unacceptable. Everything that can be done will be done relative to charges. I’m extremely disappointed.”

Elia said that Jackie Heard, a retired general director for the district will be sent to the school to help as will crisis teams of school psychologists. Elia said the principal had nothing negative in his record.

But some parents of students there were upset by the way the arrest happened.

“I can’t believe they would humiliate him like that,” said Shannon Bischel, a parent of a 7th grader at the school. “We all make mistakes and to embarrass him like that is cruel considering all he’s done for the school.”

Karen Bierce, who worked as a production coordinator in Van Buren’s cafeteria until three weeks ago, said she was shocked by news of the arrest, when informed by a reporter.

“It is blowing my mind,” she said. “Him of all people. He’s been great with the kids.”

Stay tuned to TBO.com for updates.

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