Megan Baumann, Clinton High social studies teacher
Saying it's obvious the school has already decided all on its own that his client is guilty, the attorney for suspended teacher Megan Baumann is arguing his client deserves a chance to defend herself against the accusations she was inappropriately involved with students.
In a letter to Anderson County Schools' attorney, Michael Farley expresses concerns the school system is trying the case in the media rather than in a hearing.
Farley takes issue with the schools stating with certainty that Baumann was involved sexually with students in a letter notifying her of the intent to fire her--and Farley objects that the letter was released to the media at the same time as it was to Baumann.
The letter from Director of Schools Larry Foster to Baumann said she'd be fired for "improper conduct (that) involves male students enrolled at Clinton High School with whom you engaged in intimate sexual acts, inappropriate texting, inappropriate picture transmissions, and other conduct of a physical nature."
It goes on to call Baumann's conduct "flagrant, egregious, and reprehensible." It further states, with certainty, that Baumann made contact with a student and tried to make contact with "at least one of the males affected by your misconduct subsequent to your suspension from school," and concludes that constituted flagrant insubordination.
Baumann's attorney wrote he was "very disturbed by the tone and content" of that letter, saying that the schools airing allegations against her has jeopardized any criminal case to be brought against Baumann, as well as the possible fairness of an employment hearing.
The letter goes on to state that Farley plans to subpoena the students with whom Baumann is alleged to have been sexually involved and the students Baumann is alleged to have contacted after her suspension.
Raising the question of whether the students would invoke their right against self-incrimination--which could derail the schools' attempt to dismiss on the sexual contact grounds--Farley also called into question whether the schools could rightly dismiss for insubordination alone. He raised the issue of another teacher at Clinton High School who was only reprimanded for being found intoxicated at a party with students who were also intoxicated.
The letter does not name who that teacher is.
The letter concludes by saying that Baumann looks forward to getting a hearing set soon, so she can address the allegations against her, but cautions the school against further releasing the allegations against her.