School Board Member Censured for ‘Hot’ Comment to Student

Tennessee School Board Member Censured After Calling Student ‘Hot’

A Washington County school board member in Northeast Tennessee has been formally censured after a video surfaced showing him making an inappropriate comment to a student. The incident, captured on a live stream during a public meeting, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.

The Incident and Public Reaction

The video shows board member Keith Ervin leaning towards a student, putting his arms around her, and saying, “God, you’re hot. Did you know that? Where do you go to school at?” The remark was made in front of Superintendent Jerry Boyd, who appeared to smile, and other board members, none of whom addressed the comment at the time.

The lack of immediate action during the meeting led to an emergency board meeting where community members expressed their anger. “I really expected accountability from you,” one resident stated during the meeting.

Others voiced their embarrassment, saying the incident put their community on the national map for the wrong reasons. Residents questioned the leadership shown by the board for not addressing the comment when it happened.

Ervin’s Defense and Public Scrutiny

In his defense, Ervin claimed his words were taken out of context. He stated that when he called the student “hot,” he meant she was “on a roll” and that it had nothing to do with her appearance.

Ervin suggested that taking a few seconds from a two-hour meeting could change how things sound. He did apologize to the student and her family.

However, his explanation was met with shouts from the crowd, with one person calling him a liar. Attendees insisted that the video spoke for itself and was clear evidence of inappropriate behavior.

Past Controversy and Censure

This is not the first time Ervin has faced controversy as a board member. Meeting notes obtained by NBC affiliate WCYB reveal that in 2009, Ervin was accused of making a lewd gesture of a sexual nature in a classroom.

This occurred after he reacted to a student’s remarks. Those same records indicate he apologized at the time and was censured by the board.

During the recent emergency meeting, a motion was made to censure Keith Ervin again. The board voted to approve the censure, formally reprimanding him for his actions.

Calls for Resignation and Future Actions

In the wake of the incident, thousands have signed an online petition demanding that both Ervin and Superintendent Jerry Boyd step down from their positions. Neither Ervin nor Boyd have responded to requests for comment from NBC News.

Because both Ervin and Boyd are elected officials, the school board does not have the authority to fire them. However, election officials confirmed that voters will have the opportunity to voice their opinions at the ballot box. Elections are scheduled for this August, where residents can choose new representatives.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming August elections will be a key moment for Washington County voters to decide the future leadership of their school district. The community’s strong reaction highlights a demand for ethical conduct and accountability from elected officials serving in public education.

Source: Tennessee school board member censured after calling student 'hot' (YouTube)