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.

[Vic Spencer]

John, if it was a policy violation, KCS could have processed it a long time ago and come to an independent decision I would think. I wonder why in case of a policy violation it took so long and why KCS could not do a press release on the policy violation making both the policy and the violation(s) clear. In my view dragging out such a case is a highly questionable event. Why not deal with it promptly in view of the damages such waiting creates for the accused? Is KCS trying to make the potential problem go away by pushing the accused to quit? I don't think he could do that if he ever wants to teach again. I certainly would not want to see people treated that way, guilty or innocent. Wouldn't that be the professional thing to do? What are your thoughts?

[John]

If there was an on going criminal investigation by either the Sheriff's Department or the District Attorneys Office they (A) would have to wait on the outcome of the criminal investigation before discussing anything about a case or (B) would wait for the findings of the criminal investigation before releasing the outcome of their own internal investigation. The Schools won't do anything that is going to do anything that could hamper any criminal action against him.

[Vic Spencer]

Thanks John, but that was not my question. I may have been a bit confusing above.

1. When was the DA's or Sheriff's criminal investigation over and completed in this case?

2. When did the KCS investigation begin (date) about his possible KCS policy violation, and when did said KCS investigation end (date)?

3. Could you cite for us the exact portion of the KCS policy that he violated, so that we can see the difference between the law and the KCS policy?

[Vic Spencer]

The last part of my above message disappeared covering the most important question that John may be able to answer. It was:

McIntyre's letter certainly describes inexcusable behavior for which a teacher could be fired, and should be fired in my opinion at minimum. I thought that such behavior on the part of anyone is punishable under the law. Am I wrong John?

So why is it that the DA dismisses the case?

Could you explain how teacher behavior can be non-prosecutable under the law, but violate a school policy that is not supported by the law?

The news article refers to evidence that looks like hearsay to the reader. Can't the public know exactly what evidence McIntyre used to ascertain this teacher's guilt?

My concern is that one of the most horrible life ruining things I could imagine toward a teacher is a student accusation with collaboration of friends that he or she was molested by the teacher, when molestation did not take place. I do not dispute the fact that what McIntyre's letter says, if exactly true, deserves firing. But presentation of McIntyre's letter, if it was without the evidence based on which he rendered a decision, could be insufficient from my perspective.

I am saying this coming from a recent experience with him of asking for 30 minutes with him or with someone he designates to let me know how on earth he can just present a $375 million annual budget for Board approval, a huge amount of money, a large portion of our tax dollars, without an operating plan, without program descriptions, without the presentation of any educational achievement goals by school or the district? I have never seen any operations manager, CEO or not, who was given a huge lump sum just for the asking without clearly detailing what it will accomplish in terms of GPA and ACT results, something that specifically and fairly measures educational achievement for such a huge sum of OUR money. After all, our educational results according to national tests are horrible, endangering our children's future, which he knows very well along with the entire Board of Education.

He responded finally refusing to meet or to arrange such a meeting with anyone so that I could appreciate why he did it the budget submission this way. And he was personally insulting in his email, which was really unnecessary. I do not believe that I had an unreasonable request. So the thought has occurred to me that someone may be hiding something. No details about what our tax dollars will accomplish with our children, and no open reporting of how our money is being spent in each school

So who would expect me to say after such an experience that "Yes Dr. McIntyre, whatever you say is the absolute truth, and forgive me for asking such an unreasonable question.". He is not God. I am very sorry but I do not trust him that much after my experience with him. I find such behavior inexcusable, especially from a professional, let alone the superintendent of schools. Just my personal opinion and naturally I could be wrong.

[Ginevra]

Vic, it can be unpleasant and uncomfortable to engage another person in a confrontation.

There are huge ethical issues with how public tax money is spent, and if it is spent effectively. Our community has many pressing needs, and money that is spent ineffectively is unavailable to benefit the community in other ways.

I am sorry that the superintendent was insulting to you in his email. That does not sound professional.

And thank you for taking the trouble, for the sake of all of us and our children, to follow up on an issue that is important to our futures. I appreciate your willingness to stand up and ask questions, with courtesy. We all need to do as much.

[Bob Hunter]

Vic,
At least you got a response. I emailed McIntyre several days ago about an issue along with our rep on the board (Deakins) - I have not heard a word from him. Deakins has responded several times and has/is investigating the issue I brought to their attention. I realize McIntyre is a very busy man but he needs to be able to at least acknowledge request for his time even if he delegates it out or simply says no. But no response or a rude response like you received is unacceptable and I agree with you that he and the board need to be held more accountable for their budget and be able to justify it with operational plans that show a pathway to results. I am not so confident that we are going to do better with this leadership than what we have had in the past.

[Vic Spencer]

Gin and Bob, thanks for your comments. Tom Deakins is a good man. I think the Board itself has good people. I had to go through 4 requests to McIntyre and begging through the Board about 3 times over a 4 month period to meet McIntyre to which he was 20 minutes late. In this case I sent him 2 requests 2 wks apart, and then I just wrote to the Board that this is not the behavior I have ever seen in any organization in my life. Indya is outstanding I think and I am sure that she talked to him and then he sent me his response. It takes really nothing to set up an autoresponder to show some professional responsiveness. AND as you solve organizational issues, the amount of requests for his time should be going down. Also as it becomes known who he delegates to what responsibility, the demand on his time will go down. All of these are signs of a good first level manager, without which people do not rise in management, so I am very puzzled about many things. I heard from too many people that he just doesn't respond. It must be 100+. He just ignores the people who really pay his enormous expense budget, and he is very nice to those on whom he depends politically. This is symptomatic of people who simply do not like other people. I can tell you this from personal experience: if one does a professional background check, all such "secrets" would have been available to those who made the decision about him.

So the method I used was to ask him a reasonable question twice. On the second one I also wrote second request and the first was attached. Then I waited two more weeks, and with all enclosed I wrote to the entire Board a very clear letter simply asking implicitly if this is the behavior that they condone. That was a hard ball letter, to the point. If there was no response, I would have made it into a number of papers, some even national now.

Managing a $370 million annual budget and a staff of close to 8000, is a significantly tougher job than people think. Supposedly he has done it with success. But not managing those two factors makes the job easy, but unpleasant. In other words if the management knowhow is really not there for this size operation, you end up with very unpleasant management problems, and the job does not get done. Teachers (employees) who are afraid to speak up are not a good sign of management knowhow at any level. Presenting an expense budget of any size without an operating plan with very specific periodically measurable objectives both in education delivery management and in spending and cash flow, is not a good sign of management knowhow at any level. And being rude to the public (your customers) when you depend on their tax dollars is not a good sign of any management knowhow. You can be a loner, an autocrat, you may not like people, but it will catch up with you, because they will prevent the results from materializing. The lesson is: know thyself and do not take a job unless it fits your experience AND personality. Beyond that: change your behavior, learn - or leave because you will be gone one way or the other if you do not. That takes enormous maturity to do.

I am sorry guys, but I do not fart around to say it plainly. Education defines our success in everything as individuals, as Tennesseans, as Americans. I presented ample evidence that it was allowed to sink down by those who could have stopped it at any level, if they had the balls to stand up and become vocal until it was done. With all the other garbage that is going on around us, we have a president who realizes this totally and put it among his top three priorities. THAT never happened before, and it gives me hope. I am flattered that he likes the content of my Web site and we are already beginning to see some action about education improvement, with a lot more to come. And it all makes excellent modern business sense. For a change.

The choice for public education is simple. Wise up and modernize your management style in all areas - you are providing a service. If you do not, you will be marginalized and replaced. Why?? Because we as a nation CANNOT afford to be 34th in math in the world and succeed with what THAT brings! If that message is too complex for anyone in education management, they should change their vocation real fast.

[Debi]

"He just ignores the people who really pay his enormous expense budget, and he is very nice to those on whom he depends politically."

I thought appointed (instead of elected) superintendents not engage in this behavior?

[Bob Hunter]

Debi,
The key is still getting the right appointed one and the key to that is who does the choosing. I still contend there should be a group of concerned citizens (parents, business people,e ducators, etc) representative of the community that works in conjunction with the board on this.

[Cathy McCaughan]

Instead of a school board, we need a school coalition? In theory, isn't the board composed of parents, business people, etc.?

[Debi]

I think Bob & Cathy have pure intentions but to me the issue isn't more people being involved, it is those who are involved not being open and communicative. It doesn't take a coalition of citizens to get school board/superintendent to respond to a simple question about why teachers are being told wrong information or why funds are being spent as they are. That's an issue that begins & ends with the superintendent and school board members consistently refusing to address questions.

[Bob Hunter]

Cathy,
A coalition is elected so they are not concerned about whether or not they will get future votes - makes a big difference. I have lost confidence in our policitical system at large and would be hard pressed in allowing it to make any choices for our future that I feel would be productive. I would like to say I have an answer on how to fix that but I am not sure I can even start other than to say I think it part of a bigger morals issue we have in our country. Without integrity and other moral characteristics you have nothing for a foundation.
Debi,
While I feel we need more people involved I don't think it is a total solution either. We have to demand more accountability for the actions of those in charge - whether private or public sector. When CEOs destroy companies and pay no price for it and are often rewarded for it something is wrong. When politicians and administrators destroy our school systems by accepting mediocrity as acceptable performance they need to be held accountable. And when parents allow their children to "slide by" and show lack of respect for authority figures around them they need to be held accountable.
The million dollar question is how do we make that happen?