Harmony School Board fires accused junior high teacher

After a lengthy closed session that went into the early morning hours of Tuesday, the Harmony School District 175 school board voted to dismiss longtime teacher James Watkins.

Superintendent Pam Leonard said the board’s decision was by a 5-2 vote. School board members Scott Loeffler and Lisa Zamfir cast the dissenting votes.

Leonard said she couldn’t specify the reason for Watkins’ termination, which is effective immediately. He taught seventh- and eighth-grade social studies at Emge Junior High School in Belleville and also coached girls basketball.

A substitute teacher will teach Watkins’ classes until a permanent replacement can be found, according to Leonard. A decision regarding a replacement coach has not yet been made, she said. Practice isn’t scheduled to start until later this month.

Watkins, who is a 30-year veteran teacher, faced an unspecified school-related accusation.

Watkins said he couldn’t comment regarding the accusations against him and directed all questions to his attorney.

However, he did say he was thankful for the support. “I am deeply moved and humbled by the outpouring of love and support,” he said.

Watkins’ attorney, Tom Keefe Jr., said he will ask for a hearing before a hearing officer on behalf of Watkins. It will be Watkins’ “first opportunity to confront whatever these accusations are,” Keefe said. “He didn’t get an opportunity to confront any of these allegations or charges.

“Mr. Watkins is looking forward to his opportunity to receive due process,” Keefe added. “I don’t think he got due process (Monday) night by any stretch of the imagination.”

Leonard disputes Keefe’s claims. “Watkins and his legal counsel were afforded every opportunity to respond to the dismissal charges and provide evidence to refute the charges during executive session,” she said.

Keefe anticipates a hearing will be held later this month.

A tenured teacher has 17 calendar days from the date the board approves dismissal charges to request a dismissal hearing, according to Leonard.

The Illinois State Board of Education provides the parties a list of five prospective hearing officers from the state board’s master list. The parties then inform the state board of the hearing officer that has been selected.

Each party has a maximum of three business days to present its case. At the hearing, each party is allowed to give an opening statement, present witnesses and exhibits, cross-examine opposing witnesses, question evidence presented by the opposing party and present a closing argument.

Within 30 calendar days from the close of the record, the hearing officer shall report to the school board his or her findings of fact and a recommendation as to whether the teacher shall be dismissed for cause and shall give a copy of the decision or findings of fact and recommendation to the teacher, the school board and the State Board of Education.

Show of support

A slew of Watkins’ supporters attended Monday night’s school board meeting. “I certainly think that there was a tremendous outpouring of support for Jim Watkins, which I think speaks volumes to his character and quality as a teacher,” Keefe said.

Upon hearing the news of Watkins’ dismissal, parents of children in the district continued to support their beloved teacher.

Parent Sabrina Baetje said her two daughters — Angel and Brooke — adored Watkins. Brooke currently had Watkins for a teacher, and Angel, who is now in high school, had him when she was a student at Emge.

Brooke commented in support of Watkins during Monday night’s school board meeting.

“Brooke spoke (Monday) night about how he impacted Angel’s life when she was struggling with many different issues and how much Brooke loves him as well,” Baetje said. “Mr. Watkins was so concerned about Angel, he always ask Brooke how Angel is doing. My son, Lance, who is only 7 years old has heard so much from his older sisters about Mr. Watkins throughout the last three years, he couldn’t wait to have him as a teacher...Kids need a teacher like this.”

Leonard said the board “very much” considered everyone’s comments made during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Watkins, attorney Jason Caraway and Illinois Federation of Teachers representative Ray Roskos would not comment on the matter as they left the school Monday night.

The meeting was moved to the school’s gym to accommodate the estimated 700 Watkins supporters, many of whom carried small blue posters that read “Stand Up For Mr. Watkins” and who cheered when he entered the gym, flanked by Caraway and Roskos.

District residents who spoke on behalf of Watkins during the meeting included current and former district employees, parents and grandparents, former students and current students.

Lauren Watkins, who is James Watkins’ daughter and who teaches in O’Fallon, organized much of the support shown for her father Monday night. She also would not comment on the specifics surrounding her father’s circumstances but said he “has not been given his fair share” from district administrators.

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 11:22 PM with the headline "Harmony School Board fires accused junior high teacher."