Board may fire Halls teacher accused of sexual contact with student

[Lola Alapo]

By Lola Alapo
Originally published 11:55 a.m., May 5, 2009

KNOXVILLE - The Knox County Schools superintendent is recommending the termination of tenure for a Halls High School math teacher accused of a sexual relationship with a teenage student.

The school board will vote on whether to begin the process to revoke Corey DeHart’s tenure at its Wednesday meeting. Revocation of his tenure would lead to termination of his employment with the school system.

He has been on leave since Sept. 19, 2007. His status was shifted from paid to unpaid leave in December 2007.

DeHart, 44, who had been accused of crimes ranging from statutory rape to sexual battery by an authority figure, had maintained his innocence since the female student, whose age wasn't available, filed a complaint against him in September 2007. He was supposed to stand trial in November 2008 in Criminal Court on charges that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a teenage student but the Knox County District Attorney General's Office dropped the case after DeHart's defense lawyer uncovered proof that punched holes in evidence supporting the teenager's claims.

In a letter to DeHart dated May 3, Superintendent Jim McIntyre said the school system's investigation revealed that in the second semester of the 2006-2007 school year, the teacher "engaged in a course of conduct with student Jane Doe that began with you buying beverages and candy (for her) and flirting with (her.)"

After spring break, he allegedly began touching her breasts and buttocks. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted the student at the school on several occasions. When the girl helped him place books in a closet next to his room, for instance, McIntyre wrote that DeHart "kissed her and rubbed your body against hers."

Throughout the rest of the term, the student reported that DeHart asked her to go into the book closet adjacent to his classroom, but she refused.

At the conclusion of the school term, he allegedly called the student at home and "told her you needed to bring over materials regarding your class reunion. You and Jane Doe's father had graduated high school together."

When DeHart arrived at the home, the student allegedly told him her parents were not home and that he could not enter the home. He did enter and after kissing the student engaged in other sexual activity.

Several days after the incident, DeHart allegedly called the student's home again, saying he needed to bring over more papers regarding the reunion.

"When you arrived at the house, Jane Doe, who was home with her six-year old nephew, hid in the bathroom next to her parents' bedroom. (She) saw your automobile leave the house."

The teenager confided "the abusive behavior" to a girlfriend who then reported it to Halls Principal Mark Duff.

DeHart, who earned tenure in 2001, has been teaching at Halls, his alma mater, since 1998.

He is entitled to a public hearing before the school board on the charges McIntyre has brought against him and must request one within 30 days of receiving his letter.

More details as they develop online and in Wednesday's News Sentinel.

[Cathy McCaughan]

Although I personally would like anyone who does something like this banned from teaching, I am unclear on the protocol for school system employees who are accused of a crime. There have been a wide variety of charges brought against people in varying roles within our school system and the reaction has varied from no work consequences to job transfer and now job termination. I thought the system couldn't take action before the accused had their day in court. Is the policy to handle each and every case based on that person and the unique qualities of their case?

[Lisa Starbuck]

I thought it was interesting that the DA's office dropped the charges because of problems with the evidence but evidently the super still felt there was sufficient cause to terminate. I doubt Dr. Mac would have moved forward with termination unless there was pretty good reason to believe the abuse happened, although if the evidence won't stand up in court, what happens if DeHart files suit?

[Vic Spencer]

Good question Lisa. It is difficult for me to believe that KCS information is better than the DA's in determining guilt or innocence. This makes no sense. Is it possible that KCS would prefer to use its deep pockets to defend itself and a possible smear on its name? Sure. Again, this is one more of those cases that do not seem to make sense favoring KCS, but they hide behind "legal action undertaken possibly" instead of disclosing why they do not feel that the DA's decision is correct. My fear is what if a student accuses a teacher of this sort of thing that is not true and it results in a job loss for the teacher? For the sake of KCS I would hope that they have solid evidence to support KCS. If so, why not have the DA reverse its decision? They would. No one wants to look like an idiot. I would be very interested in KCS's legal position in this matter.

It makes more and more sense for us to see a KCS report on number of cases and expenses related to legal cases each year, for the past five years.

[Laura Mynatt Reynolds]

with all due respect, the headline for this story should read " Halls High School teacher cleared of charges of sexual misconduct still facing revocation of tenure".

[Debi]

Because he was cleared criminally does not equate to cleared of all charges, just all criminal charges.

[Vic Spencer]

Does anyone have an exact copy of the DA's charges and revocation of those charges? Could you put it up here please?

And then hopefully someone will put up the KCS charges and the justification of why KCS may dismiss this person? Is KCS an "at will employer" under TN state law? If they can substantiate that, they can do whatever they want, unless this individual was under contract.

Laura I would suggest that he go on with his life elsewhere, and make the decision to sue KCS based on what the lawyer says.

[Laura Mynatt Reynolds]

Vic, how do you go on with your life when this is hanging over you? He has worked for KCS for the last several years and cannot continue in his teaching career until a resolution is made here. An innocent person cannot tuck their tail without appearing guilty. I cannot count the times someone has made the statement "just because the DA dropped the charges doesn't mean he's innocent" well, what I want to know is what happened to "Innocent until proven guilty"? If he could not be proven guilty, then should people not assume he's innocent? Why are people so quick to think that just because an allegation is made that it is automatically true. False allegations are made against teachers all over this country - mostly male teachers. It usually doesn't matter how effectively they dispel the claims, they are usually thought to be guilty no matter what is shown to the contrary. Mostly because the public only reads the headlines and doesn't investigate the facts for themselves or question the accounts that they are given in the media. You have no idea how beat down everyone involved feels at the moment, but how do we give up? How do you face assault after assault without losing hope? I can only hope that the Board members will listen to the evidence and make their decision based on it. We will see.

[Vic Spencer]

I understand you and agree, but I would like to know what KCS has to say. If they do not, it does not mean that they are innocent. Quite the opposite. But they have the right to respond, if they do respond within a reasonable time. Let's wait and see.

[Debi]

Innocent until proven guilty is only for the criminal court system. That said, I agree with you that false allegations against a male teacher in particular can be devastating. I personally think if it can be proven that a false allegation such as this was made that the one lying should be brought up on charges. Deliberately making up stories (and we don't yet know the case in this one) of sexual abuse by an authority figure haunts a man the rest of his life. I support 300% a sexually abused individual for coming forward. I also support 300% someone lying about such a thing should face jail time.

[Vic Spencer]

Debbi you also have to prove your case in civil court, but only by preponderance of evidence if I recall correctly, which is easier. That is why I am baffled about the DA's decision vs KCS.

[Debi]

Doesn't surprise me too much. The criminal court system isn't interested in prosecuting anything that isn't a sure thing, unless it's so emotionally popular they cannot resist. The little kid in Anderson Co who was abused allegedly at the hands of Learn Center, the DA there wouldn't touch it & it was a slam dunk.

[John]

There is a big difference between criminal charges (which is what the DA handles) and School Board Policy (Which is what the Superintendent and the School Board Handles) Just because the DA does not have enough to prosecute doesn't mean that that board policy hasn't been violated. A serious enough policy violation is a dismissible event.