Superintendent to retire, says he wasn’t pressured
The superintendent of the Madison-Plains Local School District said he plans to leave the Madison County district in July after nine years on the job.
Tim Dettwiller, 53, actually retired two years ago, but was rehired with a $10,000 pay cut “to save the district a little money,” he said. His current salary is $110,000.
Dettwiller said he was not pressured to resign, even though some parents say he was slow to remove a substitute teacher accused of inappropriate comments and touching.
On Jan. 26, two female high school students complained that a substitute teacher called them “honey” and “sweetie” while placing a hand on their shoulder and lower back. Children services officials and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office were contacted. The teacher, also an assistant coach, was permitted to attend a basketball game that night. Three days later, another student confirmed the story and said the teacher had touched one of the girls buttocks.
Dettwiller immediately removed the teacher from his duties. An investigation showed the teacher’s actions were insensitive, but not criminal.
“Despite what it may look like, those two things are not related,” said school board member Kelly Cooley. “Some of the community members speak loudly and don’t feel he handled it appropriately and called for his resignation. There are definitely a few who feel that way.”
Dettwiller said he plans to spend more time at his 25-acre farm in Highland County.
“Some of the community members speak loudly and don’t feel he handled it appropriately and called for his resignation. There are definitely a few who feel that way.”
— School board member Kelly Cooley