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.

[Debi]

Bob, I think it starts by the proverbial holding feet to fire. When we ask a question, we shouldn't stop until it is answered. Similar to little children, when we want them to do something we don't passively try one time & then give up. We stay on 'em.

[Debi]

Vic, it's typical response to ignore, and personal attacks are usually done as a show of defeat. Note my thread started about restraints and my question of why it's okay to not require parenteral notification when KCS physically or chemically restrains a child but is required for non-disabled students, even when that goes against Cornell's TCI. I'm not trying to change the subject thread here but point out the school board eager to answer questions about things as petty as a computer log in but refusing to make any comments toward a potentially deadly act. So it doesn't surprise me that you invoked anger on the budget.

[Vic Spencer]

I had a very thought provoking response from a county politician a few weeks ago. I was for appointing a superintendent and he was for electing one. Mind you this is county level election and not a more limited district level election. He said:
"What makes you so sure that those in this county who select a superintendent of schools are capable of interviewing and selecting someone at this level?"

This is an incredibly good question. Management skills at this level are far more important than education experience. Those who do not have multimillion dollar budget and people management experience with at least a couple hundred people would not appreciate this statement. And the larger the organization in terms of management layers, the more specialized the job becomes on the management side.

Since picking the wrong individual is very costly in terms of unachieved results and the huge salaries you have to pay, this is what organizationsa of the same size or even smaller do to maximize their success.

1. If you hire headhunters to present candidates, you especially need to be careful. Even the best of headhunters are selling you a number of candidates. Their one year guarantee to replace if found not satisfactory is too short a time.
2. Responsible organizations pay for independent background checks by a good agency.
3. They also do a psychological screening. Not just by anyone. There are a few very good companies that do this kind of stuff nationwide.

No 2 & 3 cost less than the head hunter commission, and a LOT LESS than hiring the wrong guy. If the above was done very well, I would be for finding a candidate, and would not limit it to the education field. If the above is not done well, you might as well elect, set some clearly measurable goals, because you may have to have the option on your side to decide to replace the person.

The system that makes life easier is Charter Schools, because there the focus is on principals, and you deal with a organization that is much simpler to manage. And they do produce better results because of it.

[Vic Spencer]

Moderators, could you please consider the opening of a new thread with the comments that are outside this subject area?

[Lisa Starbuck]

Vic, feel free to start a new thread. However, the limitations of Ning means we can't move comments, only delete them.