High School Principal Under Investigation
High School Principal Under Investigation Save Email Print
Posted: 11:41 PM Sep 5, 2008
 Last Updated: 12:09 AM Sep 6, 2008
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Photos posted on a well known web site lead to the investigation of an eastern Kentucky high school principal.

Attorney General Jack Conway’s office along with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is looking into Hazard High School Principal Donald "Happy" Mobelini.

The investigation comes after photos of him surfaced on the website facebook.

The pictures show him taking his daughter and four of her friends to a rock concert in Cincinnati.

The girl's, ages 16 to 17, are seen drinking and smoking in Mobelini's presence.

He told us he had no idea what the girl's were doing behind his back.

The four girls told us they hid the alcohol from Mobelini.

The principal told us at Hazard's Football Game that he is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Hazard Superintendent Sandra Johnson did not return our calls for comment, but she told the Herald Leader no action will be taken against Mobelini because the incident did not happen on school property and was not a school function.

Mobelini is also a Hazard City Commissioner.

He was criticized earlier this year after police caught students drinking on the school's football field not long after he left them.
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Posted by: time for change 2 Location: somewhere on Sep 13, 2008 at 12:26 AM
What is a Principal.1: a person who is in a leading position: the chief executive officer of an educational institution; a leading performer. Now who is to stay if Happy is right or wrong on how he chooses to raise his teenage daughter. The fact is, he is not capable of being a leader. There has been 1 other incident were teenagers and alcohol are under his watch. Why should there be an investigation. What is it in the meaning of a principal would you have to think about. Does Happy still qualify for the position. No it didn't happen on school grounds but one incident did. Are you kidd'n me!!! Maybe the superintendent needs to be investigated along with Happy. Hazard High has been degraded and our kids, the ones who did nothing, are the ones who have to suffer for his actions. Come on Hazard school board, don't let this be a hard decision when there have been better principals at this school you've fired for smaller reasons than this. Lets see were your "HAZARD PRIDE IS".
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lexington on Sep 8, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I think the world of Happy for taking my sister from HHS to the doctor as quick as he did the day she was put in the hospital last year, but there is something I don't get about this situation. First of all, how are you going to look in the rear view mirror and not see what is going on....2nd, how are you not going to smell the beer??? He needs to come up with an excuse better than " I didn't know " if he wants to keep his job.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Hazard on Sep 8, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Happy is an enabler. If it wasn't evident by the situation earlier this year with the seniors on the football field at the school then it is now because anybody could have figured out that there was alcohol in that vehicle. What did they do with their beer cans and alcohol bottles after they were finished with them to keep Happy from seeing them and where did they get the alcohol? The State needs to step in because no one in Hazard is going to do anything about this.
Posted by: Paul Jared Woods Location: Louisville-Hazard, Ky on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:29 AM
Along with the situation earlier this year, these accusations against Mobelini are unfair and morally wrong. He has brought Hazard Schools from 180th in state scoring to the top ten in the state over private schools such as Model. Parents are forgetting about their children and are basically "gossiping" about one man who has influenced many students into becoming better people than they were before. It is a shame it has come to this and I am fortunate enough to say I am a graduate of Hazard High, Class of 2007, under Happy Mobelini. Signed, Jared Woods -'07 (cell-606-233-5803) Betsy Williams-'06 Josh Combs-'08 (cell-606-438-8694) Kenneth Adams-'08 Presley Campbell-'08
Posted by: Simpson Location: Frankfort on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:21 PM
It is plain and simple, OEA, google it for Kentucky, make your complaints as many of you already have. We are coming once again for the same violation. Yes, this is an ethics violation, very much punishable.
Posted by: sickofit Location: hazard on Sep 7, 2008 at 10:01 PM
If this was me, they would have arrested me, taken my kids and put them in foster care, and lord knows what else. I guess it truly is Who You Are, Who You Know, and how many idiots you have behind you that count. Please people, give me a break here.
Posted by: Disgusted Location: Hazard on Sep 7, 2008 at 09:54 PM
There are too many discrepancies in this story. It is obviously NOT 5:00 a.m. when these pics were taken. It's broad DAYLIGHT. And how could Happy talk on a cell phone if the music was "blasting?" Does he have no sense of smell? The odor of cigarettes and beer CANNOT be "hidden," especially in a vehicle with the windows closed (as they obviously are). And as for vodka having no odor...I beg to differ with you. I was married to an alcoholic for 15 years...vodka was his poison of choice because he thought I couldn't smell it. Well I could smell it and it smells horrid. And isn't there a seat belt law in the state of Kentucky? This man should be charged with several crimes, one of the being contributing to the delinquency of minors. Oh...but it didn't happen on school property! So...if Happy decides to go out and murder someone, it will be okay as long as it isn't on school property...right? Give me a break! He must know a lot of dirt on some powerful people to get away with what he does.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Hazard on Sep 7, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Don't tell me he didn't know. Really we all know the truth here. What parent doesn't recognize that fact that his or her daughter and or son is drinking? Plus it looks like to me that the girls were also smoking. Again not old enough for that either. Of course teenagers do these things. I'm sure we all have one time or another but he is a principal and it just doesn't look good. When you are in a position like that you have to be even more careful about the decisions you make. There are a lot of parents and children that see him as being role model to our children. He needs to be a bit more careful.
Posted by: fedupinhazard Location: hazard on Sep 7, 2008 at 07:43 PM
This is a regular occurance, and I am sad to say that people wonder why we are under such a seige of drugs and alcohol. Just look at the parents and people in authority. When our kids are going to school and this is status quo and there are no repercussions, then you have chaos. Where were the parents of the other kids and where is a Mother, that allows her teenage daughter to be with a man who allows such things. He is a good old boy who wants to be cool. Well, cool gets our kids killed. Please stop him. And make it quick. I don't want him responsible for my kids and grandkids.
Posted by: pippi on Sep 7, 2008 at 06:43 PM
How many of you guys on here slipped and drunk behind your parents at this age...I mean come on people their teenagers and teenagers do these types of things.
Posted by: anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 06:40 PM
I agree with anonymous on sept.6 at 6:35 vodka doesn't have a scent. but what this man does out of school shouldn't matter. Sounds like there has not been complaints before this on the man so he must be running the school good and doing a good job at his job. So i really don't think this should matter because it was his kid and has not one thing to do with his job or the school.
Posted by: Safedriver Location: Hazard on Sep 7, 2008 at 04:42 PM
I remember a school assembly a couple of years ago regarding teenagers not using seat belts. He must have gone outside for a smoke.
Posted by: Fred Location: Kentucky on Sep 7, 2008 at 04:38 PM
If he can't smell smoke and alcohol, then I'm sure he believes the excuse "the dog ate my homework".
Posted by: ashamed. Location: Hazard on Sep 7, 2008 at 03:55 PM
This is crazy. okay, so i understand that he couldnt hear them or smell the drinks, but i mean with all the girls goofing around and such he would have looked back at least once (this was a 3 hour drive hello) I mean really, this guy doesn't need to be a principal, he gave the kids on the football feild alchohol and he gave it to the girls too! hes a friend of the mayor, so of course he's not going to get into trouble for anything!
Posted by: aasdfadsf on Sep 7, 2008 at 03:13 PM
I think happy is just always in the wrong place at the wrong time. teenagers are going to drink, its a known fact. wouldnt you rather them drink with a adult driving and watching over them then out drunk by themselves. those girls could have been doing far worse things than just having a good time on the way to a concert!
Posted by: Concerned Parent Location: Hazard, Ky on Sep 7, 2008 at 01:34 PM
As a mother of three kids, that attend school in the county, what would happen if this would have been the principal at PCC, he would've been fired without a doubt.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 01:28 PM
When you were sixteen would you have been that open with your father driving? Beer can be smelled. In the photos the girls' hair is not blowing as it would if any windows were down so it seems there would be an odor of it. As for holding the beer cans and vodka bottle low and putting it into cups, they wouldn't want other cars to see them drinking. People in other cars or trucks would cellphone the law. But that vodka bottle in one of the photos is just sitting there on top of something, there doesn't appear to be much concern about it. Beer in the cooler? Wouldn't you be worried that your father would open it to get a pop or bottle of water at a rest stop, gas station, or after coming out of the concert?
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Did he say in the video that it was 5 o'clock in the morning? Am I mistaken or isn't it still dark at 5 AM? Those pictures were taken in the daytime.
Posted by: KLA Location: Hazard on Sep 7, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Dale, Hazard is a great place to raise our children. It is very unfair of you to speak negatively of Hazard because of the problems with this man!
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Maybe he was joining in the fun and couldn't smell the beer or smoke.
Posted by: Bob on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
To Anonymous on Sep 6, 2008 at 06:35 PM. Check out the news video again. In each picture you can see reflection in the side windows meaning the windows were closed. Also he is talking on a cell phone, so where is all this very loud music? And they didn't sneak booze already mixed in pop bottles or cups into the van. They had cans of beer and at least one bottle of harder alcohol. Smoking lit cigarettes too. Any father will tell you some things teens may sneak pass you. Not this type of thing. And as someone else asked, who give the girls the beer and vodka?
Posted by: bill Location: perry on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:09 AM
how old is his daughter? anyone else would have already been charged with contributing, unlawful transaction, and have their child taken away...you know he could not be talking on the cell if the music was so loud, and he would have smelled the beer and had to know they were smoking, who bought the cigs? i cannot believe anyone would believe anything he says after this! cannot smell nothin in the car? if you believe that, i got a bridge in London I will sell you real cheap! now we know why they call him "Happy" this should be a violation of school policy, definitely an ethics violation...what do the parents of the other girls think about this?
Posted by: ladybug on Sep 7, 2008 at 07:43 AM
QUESTIONS?????How many times will bad behavior be rewarded ? If he's no more aware of what's going on than he claims; HOW CAN HE BE PRINCIPLE OF A HIGH SCHOOL? Wonder how the kids got the alcohol and cigarettes since they were all UNDERAGE?
Posted by: dave Location: hazard on Sep 7, 2008 at 12:07 AM
I guess everyone thinks their child is an angel. Well, they'er not! It's not a good thing but at least the girls aren't on the R.I.P list. You are doing a great job with the kids. Keep up the good work!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 6, 2008 at 09:35 PM
Just so you know, vodka doesn't have a scent, dummy. Also, the windows were rolled down, and the girls were hiding the alcohol and pouring it into Wendy's cups...and don't forget how loud the music was.
Posted by: William Location: seky on Sep 6, 2008 at 07:22 PM
I could have never stood a van load of teenage drunks smoking cigarette's I hope that Poor man survives he is over weigh and dont look healthy in that video and all that highway traffic and smoke and high pitch screams from a van full of noisy young women They was using that ole Ugly man His daughter and there parents should have more respect for daddy and Principal, and now the medias He will have a stroke soon.
Posted by: John Location: Chavies on Sep 6, 2008 at 05:51 PM
I guess this gives a true definition of "HAPPY" hour!
Posted by: Sheila Location: Lothaire on Sep 6, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Is this not a ethics violation? I just don't believe that the superintendent has NO issues with a principal of her schoold district that rides her students around with this type of behavior. I think the state needs to look into her leadership.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Southeastern Ky on Sep 6, 2008 at 03:34 PM
There is a serious problem with the kids in Hazard and the county. The State needs to step in because making the problem worse is that the school officials, bigwigs, and power-holding politicians and their friends, seem to be not only fully condoning it but particapating in it by doing things such as supplying them with places like school football fields to have 'no adult present' nighttime parties. A person has to be an idiot to believe no one knew drinking was going on at those parties. And where is all this booze coming from? Unless some of the parents are buying it, there has to be a near constant flow of cars with teenagers coming and going from the places they're getting it. Next time use your votes to help and improve the city and county.
Posted by: anonymous on Sep 6, 2008 at 02:56 PM
As a former hazard grad I am very disappointed. Its kind of funny how so much is overlooked there. Maybe if some of these people stepped out into the real world, out of Hazard they would realize that there are consequences for your actions. Any other school system, this would never happen!
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 6, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Can't smell the alcohol or cigarette smoke in the vehicle. HAHA I don't believe it. Might want to think of a better excuse, principal.
Posted by: Bob on Sep 6, 2008 at 02:34 PM
It appears he has no ethics or morals about underage teens drinking, smoking, etc. They have this man in charge of teenagers at a high school?
Posted by: Michelle on Sep 6, 2008 at 01:45 PM
First of all, He knows exactly what in the heck was going on. The football field incident is nothing.. The prom 2 years ago he was drinking, teachers were drinking, students were drinking and they know this is the truth. And I am a parent of a HHS student and I know first hand it gones on. Until something is done with him its going to continue. It's been going along for a long time now. Pictures are worth a thousand words...NOW how can this be disputed by him or the mayor or anyone else for that matter. He needs to remember the prom that I mentioned and it all should come right back. If he doesn't have memory loss now.
Posted by: Kathy on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:28 PM
The good folk in Hazard are just that. Good people. I am not from Hazard, but have been there many times and have always been treated nicely. I myself have a 15 year old daughter and kids today are very sneaky. He probably did not now that the girls were drinking. The comment about not being able to smell the alcohol...I would hope a grown man would not be close enough to smell it on a young girl. If the principal needs to be fired because of drinking then every principal in the state needs to be fired. A principal is not GOD, imagine he is responsible for your child and many others. Most parents have problem raising one child let alone watching over all of our Children. Give the man a break. The girls need to be disciplined and put into counseling, not that it would help, but they are old enought to be held accountable for their actions.
Posted by: Tom Location: Hyden on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Are you kidding me people? What is going on in Hazard? Is this guy the biggest con or what? The Mayor lets him get away with letting kids drink on school grounds and officers lose their jobs for doing their job do to good ol' boy politics. If the Attorney General's office and the Education Dept. lets him get away with this, then the system has completely failed in Kentucky. The Superintendent says no action will be taken? So is she blind to corruption amongst her employees? Plus, where are the parents fighting for the well-being of their children? I have always heard that Hazard has been in chaos since he has been principal, great way to represent the people of Eastern Kentucky, Principal Mobelini!!! The good ol' boy system in Hazard has does us well.
Posted by: Craig Location: Hazard on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:26 AM
My son goes to this school, everyone likes this guy, now we know why. It's sad when this person can break laws and not face a penalty. What happens if the law pulls him over at 5AM, open beverage container law broken, children under age drinking and smoking? He probably goes to jail, the kids into protective custody with social services until a RESPONSIBLE adult takes the children home. I am very much considering taken my child out of this school district!
Posted by: Ed on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:21 AM
This guy is the beginning of the end for the Hazard Independant School system. I can't wait to hear the excuses that will be made for this incident. What is sad is that sometime in the future, a teenager will be injured or even die as a result of this foolishness and the school board will say that they never saw it coming. I have never seen such stupidity in my entire life.
Posted by: FAYE Location: HAZARD on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I AM ASHAMED TO SAY THAT I LIVE IN HAZARD AND THE MAYOR, CITY COMMISSIONERS, AND SCHOOL BOARD FOR LETTING HAPPY KEEP HIS JOB. HE NEEDS TO BE FIRED AND YOU HIS LITTLE BEHIND IN JAIL.I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE HAZARD HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF ED AND THE CITY OF HAZARD. GLAD I DO NOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN ATTENDING SCHOOL THERE. I HOPE HE HAS TO GO TO JAIL FOR THIS.
Posted by: Beth Location: Hazard on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Hello Happy!!! Do ou think we are that stupid. You can smell alcohol and cigarette smoke. This isn't the first time you have got busted one this. What about the cheerleaders drining in the bus, including your our daughter a couple of months ago. Then there was the party/ campout for the seniors last year, that you just happened to be at and they just all happened to get busted for drinking. Come on, give the public a break. Do you really think that we believe you didn't know what was going on in your own vehicle???
Posted by: Sarah Location: Hazard on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Every one knows that Happy allows his daughter and his students to drink and party. This has been happening for years.
Posted by: Ed on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I think the real question is, how dumb is the principal? If this goes like everything else such as the previous incident with this man at the football field or half-million dollars stolen from the sherriff's office, it will be swept under the rug. Attorney General, where are you????
Posted by: ML Location: Floyd CO. on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:04 AM
CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE!!!!....DUH!!! If it smells like smoke, it must be smoke, if it smells like beer it must be beer.....Loud music has nothing to with you smelling things, besides if the music was up so loud and the girls so loud, how was he hearing the conversation he was having on the cell phone? Wake up people!! Some Parents think well it is OK as long as I know where they are and who they're with to drink and smoke, THAT IS JUST WRONG! You don't raise your children to drink or smoke, that is just plain stupid!
Posted by: katie Location: lexington on Sep 6, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Could this principal not smell, I think one would have smelled the drinks unless they were drinking with the girls, how dumb does this principal think people are????
Posted by: Dale Location: lexington on Sep 6, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Guess the good folk in Hazard have no problem with their kids turning into drunks since this principal will "have no action taken against Mobelini." Sounds like a great place to raise your kids!
Posted by: tami Location: hazard on Sep 6, 2008 at 09:16 AM
How did the girls obtain the alchol? Isn't the legal age in Kentucky 21 to buy alchol? I think the rest of the teenagers in the state would like to know who is selling to this age group.
Posted by: eky Location: hazard on Sep 6, 2008 at 08:32 AM
If he is the naive, he has no business being in this position of taking care of children. We are not fools here in Hazard and Perry Co.
Posted by: Bill on Sep 6, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Some one wants this olboys job?Why are they trying to charge someone, for what someone else does.=Kentucky law sucks.Cows are hard to herd,teenagers impossible.
Posted by: Justice on Sep 6, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Justice at last has come to Hazard. How many times is he going to be allowed to let underage kids party?
Posted by: kk Location: frakes on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:36 AM
HAHA, the guy had to have known they were drinking, you cannot hide the odor of vodka and beer opened and being drank inside a car.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Hazard on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:36 AM
If this issue would have happened to anyone else in any other district, they would have immediately been suspended without pay. As it was, he wasn't suspended from the issue on the football field until after school went out for the year. It doesn't really seem fair that his name wouldn't be plastered to the news like anyone else's would.
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