A Tennessee school board member who hugged a teenage girl and called her “hot” has been charged with assault, according to reports.
Keith Ervin put his arm around the girl, who was a student member of the board, on April 2 after she asked questions about her career and technical education. Then, Ervin hugged her from the side, according to court records obtained by NBC News.
“God, you’re hot. Do you know that? Damn. Where do you go to school at?” he said, according to NBC News, during the livestreamed Washington County Schools Board of Education meeting.
During a public comment segment of a May 7 meeting, the student blasted the adult members of the school board for what she described as a “failure to act.”
“To begin, I want to address Ervin’s actions, which were not only unwelcome but sexist and derogatory,” she said. “I know this because he has not behaved this way with any of our male members, nor do I believe that he ever would.”
At an April 8 meeting, Ervin had apologized for his actions and said that there was “no disrespect meant,” NBC News reported.
“Obviously, I’ve seen the clip,” he said. “Look, I get it, if that’s all you’re seeing, I understand why people are reacting the way they are.
“But that’s not the full conversation, not even close.”
Ervin, who has been a board member since 2006, went on to claim that referring to the student as “hot” was meant to suggest that she was “on a roll.”
“As a lifetime supporter of David Crockett High School, I was especially surprised to learn that’s where she went to school,” he added.
Ervin has since been censured by the board. He has also been charged with assault - physical contact, according to records.
Ervin is scheduled to appear in court in August, the records indicate.
The Washington County Board of Education told WCYB that it does not have the power to remove Ervin because state law dictates that school board members are independently elected officials.
“The Board reiterates that Mr Ervin’s actions do not reflect the standards, policies, or values of the school district,” the board said in a statement obtained by the outlet. “The Board remains committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and appropriate environment for all students and staff.”
The Independent has contacted Keith Ervin and the Washington County Schools Board of Education for comment.
