Four people unemployed after IPS board vote in wake of sex scandal
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Thursday night the Indianapolis Public Schools board voted to terminate employment of two people and accept the resignation of two other employees amid a sex scandal fallout.
Shalon Dabney and Tina Hester were charged with misdemeanors of failure to make report.
Both women turned in their requests to resign for “personal reasons.”
They’re named among a handful of administrators who allegedly waited several days to tell authorities about a possible relationship between a former school counselor and a 17-year-old student.
The two employees who had their employment contracts terminated are former Longfellow Asst. Principal William Jensen and now Former Dir. of Student Services Deb Leser.
Both were investigated by police, but never charged with any wrongdoing.
They’re upset that Hester and Dabney were allowed to resign quietly, while they were fired.
They both say they followed policy by notifying their superiors and Human Resources when they learned about the sexual relationship.
They feel their firing is not fair or just.
The board president spoke before the meeting saying with all evidence considered during their internal meetings and investigation, the decision is fair.
IPS released a statement saying the situation was not handled well by “far too many people.”
The board and the administration accept our responsibility for any mistakes. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that this never happens again. The safety and security of our students are the most important obligation we have to our families.
It is important to remind everyone, however, that despite the delays in timely reporting, the alleged abuser was barred from her school and relieved of her duties at the district’s very first opportunity – the morning following the evening officials first learned of the alleged abuse.
They also spoke of their support of the current superintendent, Dr. Lewis Ferebee.
Significant and positive changes have come to IPS under the leadership of Dr. Ferebee. To his credit, he has kept a steady hand at the helm of this district throughout these trying times. He has maintained a focus on the right things, and not allowed the continuing coverage of this single event to slow his pace or weaken his commitment to our most important work-building a 21st century urban school system capable of uplifting lives and transforming our community.
