By KIM SMITH DEDAM
SARANAC LAKE — St. Bernard's School Principal Anne Bayruns has admitted to driving drunk last August.
A plea agreement in Saranac Lake Village Court reduced a charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated to a lesser DWI charge.
Bayruns said Tuesday that the charge was reduced because it was a first-time offense.
"I still have one more court date coming up. For the most part, it has been reduced from aggravated DWI down. The reason for that is there is no prior offense. It's reduced to a traffic misdemeanor, not a felony."
STAYED AS PRINCIPAL
Saranac Lake Village Police arrested Bayruns during the afternoon of Aug. 24 after someone following her vehicle called to report erratic driving.
Breath tests placed Bayrun's blood-alcohol count above 0.18, triggering the aggravated DWI charge.
St. Bernard's School and the church stood behind their principal. But Bayruns took a leave of absence from her dual role as principal of St. Agnes School in Lake Placid.
Calls to the Rev. Thomas Kornmeyer, pastor for St. Bernard's Church, for comment about the court decision were not returned Tuesday.
The private Catholic elementary schools are managed by each parish.
GRATEFUL FOR SUPPORT
The arrest put the 44-year-old Catholic School administrator very much in the public eye.
Bayruns said she understood the concern and has drawn immense support from her church and community to work through it all.
"I understand people wanting to know where this is. In the end, it's been resolved as to the plea agreement.
"There is a fine and defensive-driving classes, a seven-week course and other costs. I haven't received all the paperwork yet. But I'm definitely moving forward. I'm following the rules."
Having the support helped Bayruns look forward.
"The support of people in Saranac Lake has been amazing. It means that I'm focusing on the positives and on the good things I'm doing with my life."
WILL REMAIN IN JOB
She is staying on as principal at St. Bernard's.
"The school is doing great, and I'm looking toward the future at St. Bernard's and all the students here relying on me."
Bayruns said she enrolled in graduate school in January to pursue a Master's Degree in administration.
The DWI case was adjourned in village court several times this fall and winter for various reasons, including the retirement of a village justice, which rearranged the court calendar.
SENTENCING APRIL 5
Bayruns's sentencing is scheduled for April 5 in Village Court.
Franklin County Assistant District Attorney Jack Delehanty, who prosecuted the case, was in court Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.
Bayruns's attorney, Peter Dumas, is in County Court all week, according to his office.
E-mail Kim Smith Dedam at: kdedam@pressrepublican.com
