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Nature Coast Band Director Plans To Resign

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: January 8, 2009

Timothy Brightbill

BROOKSVILLE - The Nature Coast band director charged with having sexual contact with a 17-year-old female student will resign, the local teachers union president said today.

Timothy Brightbill, 42, is expected to tender his resignation Friday, said Joe Vitalo, president of the Hernando Classroom Teachers Association, who spoke to Brightbill today. The teachers union represents teachers under investigation for ethics violations to ensure they receive due process from the school district and state education department.

"He feels it's in the best interest of the students so they can move on while he takes care of his issues on his own," Vitalo said. "He wants the students at Nature Coast to be successful and wants them to have the opportunity to focus on their school without this hanging over them."

Vitalo said Brightbill told him wife and young daughter factored heavily in the decision to resign.

The chances of a successful fight for his job would have been slim anyway, Vitalo has said.

Brightbill was arrested on Dec. 31 and faces two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

The student's mother came home that day to find Brightbill on top of the girl, according to an arrest affidavit. The two were clad in their underwear.

Brightbill later admitted to authorities that they performed sex acts on one another, authorities say. Brightbill also said he performed a sex act on the girl at his home one day last November.

His first court appearance is slated for Jan. 27. He has hired an attorney, Vitalo said.

The school district had been in the process of suspending Brightbill. He had been deemed "absent without authorization" and wasn't being paid because he didn't report to work on Monday.

The state Department of Education will conduct an investigation to determine how to punish Brightbill, who has been at Nature Coast for three years, Vitalo said. The state could revoke his teaching certificate and take away the retirement benefits he's accumulated over the last 17 years as a Florida teacher.

The state education commissioner would decide if there is probable cause to take action against Brightbill, and the Education Practices Commission would decide on sanctions.

A DOE spokeswoman would not confirm or deny today whether an investigation was under way.

"I think that was a good decision on his part," Superintendent Wayne Alexander said today when told of Brightbill's intention to resign.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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