Improper contact nets Halls teacher suspension; keeps tenure

[Lola Alapo]

By Lola Alapo
Originally published 06:52 a.m., July 1, 2009


KNOXVILLE — A Halls High School math teacher accused of fondling a female student will retain his tenure but will be suspended after a Knox County school board ruling early today that he violated policy by failing to show good judgment in his relationship with students.

As a result, Corey DeHart will be suspended without pay from Dec. 14, 2007 until today, July 1, 2009, the period during which he was on unpaid leave. This means he receives credit for time served but he will not receive back pay.

A letter of reprimand will also be placed in his personnel file.

The decision, which passed on a 6-3 vote, came after 13 and a half hours of testimony and board debate.

School Superintendent Jim McIntyre had recommended termination of DeHart’s tenure because he “had engaged in a behavior… that was unbecoming to the teaching profession,” his letter to the teacher stated.

A female student, who was 16 at the time, accused DeHart of sexually assaulting her in his classroom and at her home in 2007.

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[Vic Spencer]

AMEN Bob.

[Debi]

Bob, I agree with you. I too have worked in my church with kids, primarily preschoolers. Our church had a rule that we are to never be alone. In fact, our church's insurance said churches have become so litigious (after the Catholic priest scandal) that child workers had to fill out forms about our history, including if we had ever been molested. We also were not permitted to serve in a classroom with a spouse-only situation, there had to be at least two non-related adults as spouses cannot be forced to testify against each other. If churches are under this scrutiny, how much more so should schools do everything possible to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

Also, the report (and I accept this may not be an accurate description) but "overly friendly hugs" in my mind are different than a hug period. Perhaps there needs to be more clarification.

I stand by my assertion that regardless of what was found in a court of law it has been decided by the school system that he behaved inappropriately with a student, and behavior inappropriate with a student in a sexual nature is enough to remove the teacher from having future contact with students.

[Mom Knox]

This girl is not disabled. She has a "learning disability". I'm sure you all know how broad the meaning of learning disability is.