Washington County Board of Education Member Keith Ervin Charged with Assault: School Board Responds
A member of the Washington County Board of Education, Keith Ervin, has been charged with assault following an incident where he referred to a student as "hot" during a school board meeting in April. The video of the meeting showed Ervin making inappropriate comments to the student and touching her shoulder. The school board voted to censure Ervin, and the Washington County Commission expressed a vote of no confidence in him. Ervin claimed that his comments were taken out of context and that he was only trying to compliment the student's participation in the meeting. Court records show that a charge of assault was filed against Ervin on April 2.
Washington County Schools Superintendent Jerry Boyd released a statement from the board of education acknowledging the assault charge against Ervin. The board condemned Ervin's actions, stating that they do not align with the district's standards and values. The board emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students and staff. They also mentioned that they will defer to law enforcement and the judicial system regarding the charges against Ervin.
The school board reiterated that they do not have the authority to remove Ervin from office as he is an elected official. The father of the student involved in the incident criticized the lack of action by other board members and expressed concerns about Ervin's behavior around students. The student herself addressed the board, calling out Ervin's actions as sexist and derogatory. Ervin had previously been censured in 2009 for inappropriate behavior at David Crockett High School.
The situation involving Keith Ervin and the student has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the behavior of elected officials in the education system. It is essential for school boards to uphold high standards of conduct and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all individuals involved in the education system. The charges against Ervin will be handled by law enforcement and the judicial system, and the school board will continue to monitor the situation closely to maintain accountability and integrity within the district.