A school system investigation into accusations that a teacher showed obscene material to students will take several more days, a school official said.

Superintendent Dr. Barry Carroll said Thursday in response to a question at a press conference that Sheriff Mike Blakely is “aware” of the investigation but is not working “hand-in-hand” with the school system.

Carroll, who along with West Limestone High School Principal Stan Davis held a press conference in the school board meeting chambers, confirmed that school officials removed White’s classroom computer when new accusations emerged April 7.

Students at the school are still talking with school officials to describe what they saw and heard in White’s class, the superintendent said.

The investigation will likely take until the end of the week or the first of next week, Carroll said, explaining that under Alabama tenure law, the teacher is afforded due process.

“The board does not have the final say,” he said. If evidence of wrongdoing is found, White will be asked to attend a school board conference. Arbitration may also be required. White has been a teacher for 10 years.

Carroll said he and Davis met Wednesday with White, who has been on administrative leave since last Friday and will not be allowed to return to campus until the investigation is complete.

White is a Democratic candidate for the District 4 seat on the state House of Representatives. He has previously run unsuccessfully for a District 5 seat.

White was reprimanded last month for showing an Internet filmstrip that refers to President Bush, his administration and various conservatives as “a—holes.” The clip also uses the s-word.

That matter was resolved when a letter of reprimand was placed in White’s personnel file, Carroll said.

Any personnel action now will take place if wrongdoing is proven in the new complaints, he said.

“I hope to send a message we are handling this situation,” he said.



Still a candidate



White remained on the primary election ballot Thursday afternoon, according to a spokesman for the Alabama Democratic Party.

Joe Turnham, chairman of the state party, released a statement Wednesday after The News Courier went to press stating he had asked White to consider withdrawing from the race.

The statement also said White had resigned from the Limestone County Democratic Party “several days ago.” When asked Tuesday, local party chairwoman Pam Wallace said her only comment was that “It’s a school board matter.” She did not say White had resigned.

Calls to Wallace’s home and cellular phone were not returned Thursday.

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley said Thursday that he was “appalled” after viewing a Web site that White allegedly showed eighth grade science students, but he feels it is an “isolated incident.” He said he had talked to Carroll and is “assured the superintendent is doing what he has to do to go through the process.”

Riley, who was in town for the Owens Senior Center groundbreaking, said Limestone has “some of the best teachers in the country” and that the situation shouldn’t reflect on other teachers in the school system.

Davis said at the press conference that teachers at West Limestone School are “concerned” about the issue. He said he is proud of the way students are handling the situation.

The staff considers the publicity negative, Davis said, while the school is a very positive place.

Carroll appeared on MSNBC Wednesday night after parent Christy Jackson, who brought the initial complaint, appeared on several shows. He expressed surprise that the attention came so quickly and said the central office has been bombarded with e-mails, many that were “not very nice.”

“It was out there before we even knew it was an issue,” Carroll said. “Parents should come to Mr. Davis or me if they have a problem.”

Jackson said she called and e-mailed the central office for three weeks about the initial complaint and went to the media only after she received no response.

Limestone County Republican Party Chairman Jim Burden said of accusations against White that it is, “disappointing a teacher would show a display of obscenity. It’s really sad, but if he has tenure, I suppose they can’t do anything about it. Maybe they’re too easy about giving tenure.” But he stopped short of saying that White should withdraw his candidacy for the District 4 House seat now held by Republican Mickey Hammon of Decatur.

“I think he has injured himself pretty badly, but I have no thoughts on if he should withdraw,” said Burden.





Internet policy



According to a Limestone County School System handbook, teachers are required to sign an Acceptable Use Policy for the Internet. Disciplinary action for violating the policy includes but is not limited to “warning, denied access, reprimands, suspension, and/or termination for violation of the Acceptable Use Policy.”

Among the items included in the policy:

• Use of Internet for personal activities is prohibited during school hours.

• All communications and information stored on computers owned or operated by Limestone County Schools shall be considered property of Limestone County Schools.

• Antisocial behaviors (harassment, discriminatory remarks, etc.) are prohibited on the computer. The computer will not be used to access Internet sites or programs which are offensive, illegal or otherwise not suitable or proper for use in the Limestone County School System.

• Electronic mail is provided for all employees for educational and instructional business purposes.  Personal use of electronic mail is permitted as long as it does not violate the Limestone County Schools policy or adversely affect others. Employees are encouraged to read or respond to electronic mail during non-instructional time.

• Limestone County Schools’ employees are responsible to ensure that students adhere to the Student Internet Acceptable Use Policy.

•  Use of non-educational games is prohibited.





–Karen Middleton contributed to this report.