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Home > Blogs > Springfield Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > April > 29 > Entry
Board starts process to fire teacher
Clark-Shawnee board members took the first steps today, April 29, toward terminating the contract of a teacher accused of inappropriate conduct with female students.
Dennis B. Dahlberg, 35, a social studies teacher at Shawnee High School, has until Saturday to appeal the decision before board members can move forward with the process laid out in Ohio law, said an attorney for the district.
Board members approved 4-0 a resolution to begin contract termination and suspend Dahlberg with pay pending termination.
“We take very seriously our responsibility to protect the students of this district,” said board President David DeHart of the board’s decision to pursue contract termination for Dahlberg.
Dahlberg’s attorney, Kelly Jines of Columbus, declined to comment. The board cited “willful and persistent violations of reasonable regulations of the Clark-Shawnee Local School District Board of Education, Dennis Dahlberg’s commission of acts of immorality and for other good and just cause,” as the basis for termination in the resolution. Board members and Superintendent Debbie Finkes declined to comment on what the specific infractions are.
The News-Sun has requested access to a copy of the April 22 letter from Finkes to Dahlberg explaining the grounds for termination but will not be able to access it until 48 hours after he is notified, according to the contract with Clark-Shawnee Local Education Association.
According to records in his personnel file:
• In May, 2008, one female student reported that he had sent her unwanted text messages.
• In December, another female student claimed he used her twice as an example when asking sexually-charged questions in front of a class. She said he also searched her purse in the classroom.
• Also in December, a third student claimed he touched her on the back during class.
If Dahlberg requests by Saturday a hearing with the board or a referee, the board is required to schedule a hearing 20-30 days from Saturday, according to Ohio law. The only exception is if a hearing officer is not available at that time.
The board also approved an unpaid three-day suspension for Dahlberg for allegedly sending unwanted text messages to a female student, after Dahlberg earlier this week dropped an appeal over the discipline recommended by Superintendent Debbie Finkes.
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