Families uneasy after decision is made to terminate ag teacher Thursday night
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
In a move that makes many supporters of agricultural education at Columbia City High School nervous, the Whitley County Consolidated School board voted to terminate the contract of Columbia City High School agricultural education teacher Jesse Kimmell Thursday evening.
“That’s all we can really say,” said WCCS school superintendent Dr. Laura Huffman, not elaborating on the reasons behind Kimmell’s termination for legal reasons.
“This is one of the situations we get to deal with where we don’t have information on what happened,” said board member Deb Hiss, adding that legally the school board cannot have any further information about a personnel matter other than to know the school superintendent wants the board’s support in terminating a teaching contract. The school board may serve as a review board if Kimmell chooses to appeal the termination.
The board voted 5 to 3 in favor of terminating Kimmell’s contract – a move that has several supporters of the school’s agricultural education programming and FFA program on edge – nervous that the move may mean a gradual elimination of those programs beginning with that position.
“The administration needs to do what they feel is appropriate in a situation where discipline is required, however, I would certainly hope this does not reflect negatively on the quality agricultural education program at Columbia City High School,” a parent said on the condition of anonymity after the board voted to terminate the teacher.
“Student numbers, activities and success in this program have grown exponentially in the past several years,” the parent said, citing increased participation in many areas, including classroom enrollment and involvement in FFA.
“I think the FFA program prepares students for leadership and life skills more than almost any other program we have,” the parent said. “I truly believe that and I was never in FFA.”
Hiss said she wanted those families to know the decision to terminate Kimmell has nothing to do with their support of agricultural education and FFA.
“We want agricultural education to continue,” Hiss said during the meeting. “We support modifications and growth.”