
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 28, 1995                   TAG: 9506290040
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL BOARD WANTS STATE TO SUSPEND TEACHER'S LICENSE

After a closed-door hearing that lasted nearly 10 hours, the Montgomery County School Board recommended to suspend the license of a Christiansburg Middle School teacher Monday night.

The board will send the 4-2 vote concerning teacher Karen Everhardt's status to the Virginia State Board of Education for consideration. The state board handles all license decisions.

Everhardt, a reading instructor, resigned from the system this spring after allegations concerning inappropriate discipline toward a third-grader were brought to the school's attention.

Neither the School Board nor Everhardt's lawyer, Joe Steffen, would comment on the details of the case.

Superintendent Herman Bartlett said he was obligated by state board regulations to ask the School Board to address Everhardt's case. Bartlett recommended that the board revoke her license permanently.

Under state board recommendations, a teaching license is revoked for seven reasons, including "conduct ... [viewed as a] detriment to the health, welfare, discipline or morale of students."

Steffen said the hearing, which lasted until 4:20 Tuesday morning, was thorough and fair.

"You can tell by the length of the meeting that there's a very detailed and all-inclusive record on this case," he said. "It was all fully and fairly addressed."

Chairman Roy Vickers said the board had three options after hearing testimony from both sides: make no recommendation, revoke her license permanently, or suspend the license for a term of one to five years.

"We're grateful the School Board took a very hard look at this and decided to significantly modify what the administration recommended," Steffen said.

Board members Annette Perkins and Dick Edwards voted against the suspension. Perkins said she opposed the vote because she saw no need for any action.

"It was my belief that there was no conclusive evidence that she [Everhardt] should have had a license revoked or suspended," she said Tuesday.

Board member Becky Raines did not attend the meeting; Barry Worth and Vice Chairman David Moore left before the vote was held.

If the state board decides to suspend Everhardt's license, that suspension would be purged from her record after the year is over, Steffen said.

by CNB