By Janie Southard
jsouthard@dailystandard.com Celina business teacher and softball coach John Hendricks has resigned following a four-month unpaid administrative leave and a local sheriff's investigation.
Retention of his teaching license is still under investigation by the state department of education.
Celina City Schools board of education accepted Hendricks' formal resignation at Monday's regular board meeting. The resignation was executed by his attorney and the board's attorney. For his part, Hendricks received a brief written statement signed by Superintendent Matt Miller stating he was employed by the Tri Star vocational program, served the district through April 11, and resigned on Aug. 5.
"As for Celina schools, our business with John Hendricks has concluded. But, the office of professional conduct at the Ohio Department of Education has requested his records and all notes relating to his employment here. To my best knowledge, their investigation is ongoing," Miller said following the meeting.
Hendricks was placed on a paid leave on Jan. 27 while he was the subject of an investigation by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office on a variety of grounds, including inappropriate sexual activity. Following that investigation, the board of education put Hendricks on unpaid leave effective April 11. At that time, the board proposed dismissal citing: immoral conduct reflecting unfitness to teach; a sexually suggestive text message sent to the cell phone of a female student in the Celina district and a sexually suggestive verbal comment to the student; obstruction and dishonesty during the investigation; and material misrepresentation of employment history when applying for employment with Celina schools.
Hendricks was not present at Monday night's meeting or any other public session. |
