Lincolnton -- A 26-year-old Maiden man arrested after an undercover drug bust told authorities he left the school he was teaching in Charlotte and had been hired by Lincoln County Schools to teach at S. Ray Lowder Elementary in Lincolnton.
School officials, however, say Brian Hunter Zickefoose hasn't worked for the school system a single day.
According to Dr. Walter Hart, associate superintendent for personnel, Zickafoose's name was scheduled to go before the Lincoln County Board of Education during tonight's meeting for approval as a teacher.
"We weren't aware of these new circumstances until last night," said Hart. "The applicant had been offered the position but because of what happened, his name has been withdrawn from consideration for BOE approval."
Zickefoose, of Ivey Church Road in Maiden, was apprehended following a brief foot chase with officers and was taken to jail under a $60,000 secured bond.
He is charged with five counts of possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine, five counts of sell and delivery of cocaine, and maintaining a motor vehicle for the sell of a controlled substance.
Narcotics officers seized 3 grams of cocaine in Tuesday night's operation. The five charges stem from separate undercover incidents over the last two months.
Hart said Zickefoose's background check came back OK. Background checks are done on all applicants with the Lincoln County Schools.
"On the surface, the applicant appeared worthy of consideration," said Hart. "Given the circumstances, this person should not be employed by Lincoln County Schools."
Hart would not say if Zickefoose is related to Steven Zickefoose, associate superintendent of business for LCS. However, on the arrest report on file at the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Steven Zickefoose is listed as the suspect's closest family member.
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Jon Mayhew, Editor
