News

TEACHER ACCUSED OF TOUCHING STUDENTS IS TERMINATED

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 2:02 PM CST

A teacher who stands accused of inappropriately touching female students and employees had his contract officially terminated at Watson Chapel School Board’s Monday night meeting.

Robert Michael Gatlin, 44, of Rison, was a teacher at Coleman Intermediate School.

On Sept. 19 he was arrested and Circuit Judge Rob Wyatt Jr. found probable cause to charge him with five counts of second-degree sexual assault.

In a notice of termination, Danny Hazelwood, the Watson Chapel superintendent, listed the reasons for Gatlin’s dismissal.

Besides the 9- and 10-year-old girls, Gatlin reportedly “repeatedly touched female employees in inappropriate ways that caused them to feel offended or feel uncomfortable, including touching their hips and buttocks,” according to the termination notice.

Gatlin had 30 days to request a hearing and refute the allegations against him. He did not act upon the option.

Gatlin was hired in 2006 by former superintendent Danny Knight. According to school officials, his background check came back clean, including his references from his previous employer, Kingsland School District.

Later, police investigators discovered Gatlin had been fired from that district for allegedly “kissing fourth- and fifth-grade girls.”

Gatlin posted his $10,000 bond in September, is prohibited on school property and cannot have contact with the five students from whom the charges stem.

In other action Monday, board members: