Community members speak out on behalf of suspended teacher WATCH THE VIDEO
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Former students and family members of a Hillsboro Middle School teacher who has been placed on paid leave due to a pending investigation spoke out during a meeting of the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education, asking for answers and that he be allowed to return to his job.
Supporters of the teacher - who is a former Hillsboro High School athletics coach - spoke of his character and dedication, with one person saying that he looks up to this teacher the way others look up to Dr. Martin Luther King. School district representatives did not publicly address the audience members but did confirm there is an ongoing investigation into the teacher's alleged actions.
Approximately 25 people were in attendance during Wednesday's meeting. Board president Sam Barnhouse noted that there was a mixture of people who had concerns who wanted to address the board on school matters, as well as a group of college students who were attending for a class credit.
Barnhouse informed the crowd of the board's policy regarding public participation, noting that there was a time limit and that the board would not be responding to any questions. However, the district will submit a written response within 10 business days to the speakers who voiced concerns.
The teacher who has been placed on leave did not attend the meeting. Although his name was mentioned during the meeting and confirmed by district representatives, The Highland County Press has elected not to name the individual, as there have been no criminal charges filed against him.
Although he has not coached for the Hillsboro City Schools for several years, he is currently the head women's basketball coach at Southern State Community College.
Marcus Burns was one of six individuals who addressed the board on behalf of the teacher, saying that he is a family member and a good man. When speaking of the teacher, they addressed him as "Coach."
"In my opinion, (the teacher) is a good person and well-known," Burns said. "He dedicated 29 years of his life to this job. When he took over the girls basketball program, he turned it into a winning program until the school board voted him off for unknown reasons. It hurts me to see that the school board is not backing him up. But yet, across town, Southern State Community College is letting him continue to coach."
Burns said that, "I, my family, and the community want to know why he is not back in the classroom. He's not guilty. So please do not turn this case like Penn State. This man has a great legacy at HHS. Please let him continue to help and teach."
He concluded with a quote from George Washington Carver: "Fear of something is at the root of hate for others, and hate within will eventually destroy the hater."
Brent Burns said he drove from Dayton to speak out on behalf of the teacher.
"Growing up in Hillsboro, being an African-American male, I always read African-American history. You hear about people like Dr. King, Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth. Well, to me (the teacher) was that role model that I looked up to. There were no other African-American teachers in the school system here in Hillsboro. He was who I looked up to. If I was ever afraid of something, I thought of him, and that gave me motivation to face my fears. I hope the board makes the right decision to give him his life back."
During the board's regular meeting in November, they entered into executive session for nearly an hour to discuss "investigation of charges/complaints against a public employee." At that time, Hillsboro Superintendent Rick Earley said that an investigation into an employee is ongoing, but he could not comment further. Earley would not say the position the employee holds with the district or if the complaints were brought by a student, parent or employee.
On Wednesday, Earley said that he would be unlikely to make more specific comments than he did in November. When asked about that specific teacher by name, Earley said that he remains on paid leave and that the investigation is ongoing. The individual teaches health and physical education at Hillsboro Middle School. While he used to coach for the district, Earley said that he had not coached there for several years.
When asked if law enforcement had been involved, Earley said, "Whenever there is an allegation, it will be investigated."
The Hillsboro Police Department told The Highland County Press Wednesday evening that as of Wednesday afternoon, the Hillsboro City Schools had not contacted them regarding the matter.
Some of the speakers alluded to the issue of race, with one stating that the suspended teacher is the only African-American employed by the Hillsboro Schools. Early said that wasn't correct, but that the district had fewer than five African-American employees.
Also during the board meeting, Dirk Burns told Barnhouse and board member Jerry Walker, who are former teachers, that he knows they are good people and wants their help.
"Mr. Barnhouse, if this same thing was going on with you, I'd be running through the walls because you've known me since I been little, and I know you're a credible man, Mr. Walker - that's why I got through high school. I haven't always made the right decision in life, but I'm trying to be a good person. I just hope the board sees that (the teacher) is a good man. He helps a lot of people. Make the right decision."
Rick Burns, another relative and Hillsboro resident, asked that people continue to come to board meetings, "to let them know that you care." He said that he wanted to "thank God, the late Martin Luther King, the late Thurgood Marshall ... and all the people who have fought for my right of freedom of speech.
"I'm very saddened the season the school board and the superintendent of the Hillsboro school district are about to embark on," he said. "You have a person who has gave most of his adult life trying to make a difference."
Jenny Blair said that she drove from Columbus to speak to the board on behalf of her her former coach. As she began to speak about the impact he had on her life, she began to cry and had to take a few moments to compose herself.
"(He) is an amazing man and does not deserve any of this," Blair said. "He has given his time, his energy ... you might as well say his life, for 29 years to serve us. He's a good man, and I ask that you do the right thing."
Rick Burns said that the board members are former teachers, a former district treasurer (Beverly Rhoads) and people who work in the community (Terry Britton and Bill Myers) who have worked hard to serve their community and earn the respect of others, and he appreciates their work.
"This is the kind of achievement (the teacher) strived for in his career, and to have one allegation against him bring his career to a grinding halt is unthinkable," Burns said. "This is a man of character (who gave) guidance to his students. He wouldn't do anything to them but try to be caring and understanding. If you have two female students about to do hard to each other, does a male teacher run to get a female teacher to stop this? Same if it were two male students about to do harm. Does a female teacher go and get a male teacher to break it up? As a parent, I would hope whoever is present would stop this. Somebody has to separate a potential fight. Usually, the good Samaritan is the one who gets in trouble. As elected officials voted to serve on the school board, you must be good stewards of the faith the voters put in you to help our superintendents and principals to make good, wise decisions, good fiscal decisions on behalf of our school district. You, the board members, are the community's voice when decisions must be made. Please help guide our superintendent in making wise decisions and recommendations. The voters are counting on you."
In closing, Burns said he wanted to leave the group with a final thought: "It's not too late to please reinstate. It's not too late to reinstate."
Brittany Bayless said that she was coached by the teacher while at HHS, she went on to play basketball for him at SSCC and eventually coached alongside him.
"I want to say I have the utmost respect for this man," Bayless said. "He's not only taught me about the games of basketball and softball, but he's taught me the will to win and respect. I think the world of him."
Tara Walker Pendell also spoke, saying that she also played for the teacher, that he helped her get an athletic scholarship and has been a "huge supporter" in her life. She has also coached with him at Southern State.
"He's taught me a lot. Not just about the game of basketball, but the game of life, as well. I really respect that man," she said.
Former students and family members of a Hillsboro Middle School teacher who has been placed on paid leave due to a pending investigation spoke out during a meeting of the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education, asking for answers and that he be allowed to return to his job.
Supporters of the teacher – who is a former Hillsboro High School athletics coach – spoke of his character and dedication, with one person saying that he looks up to this teacher the way others look up to Dr. Martin Luther King. School district representatives did not publicly address the audience members but did confirm there is an ongoing investigation into the teacher's alleged actions.
Approximately 25 people were in attendance during Wednesday's meeting. Board president Sam Barnhouse noted that there was a mixture of people who had concerns who wanted to address the board on school matters, as well as a group of college students who were attending for a class credit.
Barnhouse informed the crowd of the board's policy regarding public participation, noting that there was a time limit and that the board would not be responding to any questions. However, the district will submit a written response within 10 business days to the speakers who voiced concerns.
The teacher who has been placed on leave did not attend the meeting. Although his name was mentioned during the meeting and confirmed by district representatives, The Highland County Press has elected not to name the individual, as there have been no charges filed and the school district has not stated the allegations.
Although he no longer coaches for Hillsboro City Schools, he is currently coaching at Southern State Community College.
Marcus Burns was one of six individuals who addressed the board on behalf of the teacher, saying that he is a family member and a good man. When speaking of the teacher, they addressed him as "Coach."
"In my opinion, (the teacher) is a good person and well-known," Burns said. "He dedicated 29 years of his life to this job. When he took over the girls basketball program, he turned it into a winning program until the school board voted him off for unknown reasons. It hurts me to see that the school board is not backing him up. But yet, across town, Southern State Community College is letting him continue to coach."
Burns said that, "I, my family, and the community want to know why he is not back in the classroom. He's not guilty. This man has a great legacy at HHS. Please let him continue to help and teach."
He concluded with a quote from George Washington Carver: "Fear of something is at the root of hate for others, and hate within will eventually destroy the hater."
Brent Burns said he drove from Dayton to speak out on behalf of the teacher.
"Growing up in Hillsboro, being an African-American male, I always read African-American history. You hear about people like Dr. King, Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth. Well, to me (the teacher) was that role model that I looked up to. There were no other African-American teachers in the school system here in Hillsboro. He was who I looked up to. If I was ever afraid of something, I thought of him, and that gave me motivation to face my fears. I hope the board makes the right decision to give him his life back."
During the board's regular meeting in November, they entered into executive session for nearly an hour to discuss "investigation of charges/complaints against a public employee." At that time, Hillsboro Superintendent Rick Earley said that an investigation into an employee is ongoing, but he could not comment further. Earley would not say the position the employee holds with the district or if the complaints were brought by a student, parent or employee.
On Wednesday, Earley said that he would be unlikely to make more specific comments than he did in November. When asked about that specific teacher by name, Earley said that he remains on paid leave and that the investigation is ongoing. The individual teaches health and physical education at Hillsboro Middle School. While he used to coach for the district, Earley said that he had not coached there for several years.
When asked if law enforcement had been involved, Earley said, "Whenever there is an allegation, it will be investigated."
The Hillsboro Police Department told The Highland County Press Wednesday evening that as of Wednesday afternoon, the Hillsboro City Schools had not contacted them regarding the matter.
Some of the speakers alluded to the issue of race, with one stating that the suspended teacher is the only African-American employed by the Hillsboro Schools. Earley said that wasn't correct, but that the district had fewer than five African-American employees.
Also during the board meeting, Dirk Burns told Barnhouse and board member Jerry Walker, who are former teachers, that he knows they are good people and wants their help.
"Mr. Barnhouse, if this same thing was going on with you, I'd be running through the walls because you've known me since I've been little, and I know you're a credible man, Mr. Walker - that's why I got through high school. I haven't always made the right decision in life, but I'm trying to be a good person. I just hope the board sees that (the teacher) is a good man. He helps a lot of people. Make the right decision."
Rick Burns, another relative and Hillsboro resident, asked that people continue to come to board meetings, "to let them know that you care." He said that he wanted to "thank God, the late Martin Luther King, the late Thurgood Marshall ... and all the people who have fought for my right of freedom of speech.
"I'm very saddened the season the school board and the superintendent of the Hillsboro school district are about to embark on," he said. "You have a person who has gave most of his adult life trying to make a difference."
Jenny Blair said that she drove from Columbus to speak to the board on behalf of her former coach. As she began to speak about the impact he had on her life, she began to cry and had to take a few moments to compose herself.
"(He) is an amazing man and does not deserve any of this," Blair said. "He has given his time, his energy ... you might as well say his life, for 29 years to serve us. He's a good man, and I ask that you do the right thing."
Rick Burns said that the board members are former teachers, a former district treasurer (Beverly Rhoads) and people who work in the community (Terry Britton and Bill Myers) who have worked hard to serve their community and earn the respect of others, and he appreciates their work.
"This is the kind of achievement (the teacher) strived for in his career, and to have one allegation against him bring his career to a grinding halt is unthinkable," Burns said. "This is a man of character (who gave) guidance to his students. He wouldn't do anything to them but try to be caring and understanding. If you have two female students about to do harm to each other, does a male teacher run to get a female teacher to stop this? Same if it were two male students about to do harm. Does a female teacher go and get a male teacher to break it up?
"As a parent, I would hope whoever is present would stop this. Somebody has to separate a potential fight. Usually, the good Samaritan is the one who gets in trouble. As elected officials voted to serve on the school board, you must be good stewards of the faith the voters put in you to help our superintendents and principals to make good, wise decisions, good fiscal decisions on behalf of our school district. You, the board members, are the community's voice when decisions must be made. Please help guide our superintendent in making wise decisions and recommendations. The voters are counting on you."
"As a parent, I would hope whoever is present would stop this. Somebody has to separate a potential fight. Usually, the good Samaritan is the one who gets in trouble. As elected officials voted to serve on the school board, you must be good stewards of the faith the voters put in you to help our superintendents and principals to make good, wise decisions, good fiscal decisions on behalf of our school district. You, the board members, are the community's voice when decisions must be made. Please help guide our superintendent in making wise decisions and recommendations. The voters are counting on you."
In closing, Burns said he wanted to leave the group with a final thought: "It's not too late to please reinstate. It's not too late to reinstate."
Brittany Bayless said that she was coached by the teacher while at HHS, she went on to play basketball for him at SSCC and eventually coached alongside him.
"I want to say I have the utmost respect for this man," Bayless said. "He's not only taught me about the games of basketball and softball, but he's taught me the will to win and respect. I think the world of him."
Tara Walker Pendell also spoke, saying that she also played for the teacher, that he helped her get an athletic scholarship and has been a "huge supporter" in her life. She has also coached with him at Southern State.
"He's taught me a lot. Not just about the game of basketball, but the game of life, as well. I really respect that man," she said.