School board upholds teacher suspension

By Eddie West Staff Writer

The county’s school board voted to uphold the suspension of a Smith County High School teacher.

Jason Robert Smith, a tenured communications teacher, was placed on 30 day suspension by Director of Schools Barry Smith for alleged unprofessional conduct and making inappropriate comments to students.

The school board was given the option of upholding the suspension or termination of Smith (teacher). If the school board had voted to terminate Smith, the teacher could have challenged the school board’s actions.

Board members were informed approval of termination would begin a formal hearing process in which Smith (teacher), if he chose to do so, would have the opportunity to respond to the allegations.

The suspension was imposed following an investigation conducted by the director of schools.

The director’s findings  included 17 incidents pertaining to alleged unprofessional conduct and/or inappropriate comments to students.

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