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Hudson High Teacher Fired

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By RONNIE BLAIR

rblair@tampatrib.com

Published: March 18, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - Pasco County School Board members voted unanimously Monday to fire Hudson High School teacher Deane DeLoach after deciding he falsely accused a junior varsity football player of assaulting him on a school bus after a game.

Board members watched a videotape of the Sept. 25 bus ride and heard from witnesses.

"The evidence was overwhelming," board member Allen Altman said.

DeLoach, who had been on unpaid leave since Nov. 4, requested an employee appeal hearing before the school board, but he and his attorney walked out of that hearing Feb. 10, saying they did not think he would get a fair shake.

DeLoach's troubles began Sept. 25 when Hudson High's junior varsity football team played at Ridgewood High School. DeLoach, an assistant coach, told a freshman player who had been disruptive earlier to sit beside him on the ride back to Hudson High after the game.

The next day, DeLoach told an assistant principal and the school resource officer that the student, wearing shoulder pads, had knocked him across the bus aisle.

Assistant Principal Scott Davey and Cpl. John Watson testified at the hearing that they had watched the videotape that day and that it did not show any physical contact between DeLoach and the student.

Watson testified that a few days later he told DeLoach the video showed his allegations were unfounded. He said he told DeLoach he could be charged with filing a false report but that he was not going to pursue charges.

"He seemed very surprised there was a videotape," Watson said.

DeLoach's claim could have led to the student's expulsion and arrest.

School board members said the videotape shows conclusively that DeLoach's claim was false.

"That was what really caused me to make my decision," board member Kathryn Starkey said.

Randall Shanafelt of Clearwater never presented DeLoach's side of what happened during the hearing. He and his client walked out after board members declined to hear testimony about an incident Oct. 1 at the school during which DeLoach is said to have been suicidal.

Board members said they did not see how that was relevant to why Superintendent Heather Fiorentino had recommended firing DeLoach.

After he left the hearing, Shanafelt said the school district wanted to fire DeLoach because he is bipolar but that by law, school officials can't cite a disability as a reason.

Shanafelt told the board he would pursue his client's rights through a different venue.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218.

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