Eddie Anderson
Oak Ridge High School science teacher and track coach Eddie Anderson has been suspended from his teaching duties without pay pending an investigation by the Oak Ridge Police Department, an official said Friday.
Information reported to the Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent’s Office on Thursday morning has been referred to the Oak Ridge Police Department for its consideration and investigation, Superintendent Bruce Borchers said in a Friday afternoon email. The information hasn’t been publicly disclosed.
Anderson has been suspended from his teaching duties without pay while the investigation is under way, Borchers said.
“If Mr. Anderson is vindicated or reinstated following the investigation, he shall be paid full salary for the period of his suspension,” the superintendent said.
“On the advice of the Board of Education’s attorney, neither the Board nor the Superintendent’s Office will have any further comment on this matter until the investigation has been completed,” Borchers said.
Anderson teaches chemistry and AP chemistry, and he has been a track and field coach at ORHS since 1979 and the ORHS head coach since 1996.
In the meantime, officials said Oak Ridge Cross Country/Track Coach Allen Etheridge will be filling in as interim track and field coach.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Sam Hopwood says
As is often the case, Bob Flower has scooped the local media on “the rest of the story” here. Anderson has resigned as track coach and submitted his retirement for June 2. He apparently was a fine educator who just appears to have imploded, if Flower’s reporting is correct. Very sad. No one wants to see some go out this way.
David Allred says
Most of Fowler’s reporting used words from the administration letter(s). Sounded to me like the bulk of the article was a track meet travel plan (or lack of) that just went south in a hurry.
I remember almost getting kicked out of the Beta club when I was a senior in high school… like these kids, I snuck out of my room into a girl’s room on a trip to Nashville (in which we also stayed in a cheap hotel). It was mostly harmless, but I could have gotten my teacher chaperones fired or repremanded for it.
Kids sometimes don’t think, and sometimes adults don’t plan for the ways in which kids don’t think.
It’s a tough thing, and I hope there’s nothing more to it. If there isn’t anything more to it, then “this too shall pass” and we should stay focused on the positives.
Sam Hopwood says
Yes, “this too shall pass” but having said that, the school administration had no choice but to act. And it seems to me that they acted properly under the circumstances, if Fowler’s reporting is correct, and he is good at it. As I said, it is sad and no one wants to see a career end this way. And yes, there are many positives to focus on.
Matt Bailey says
Based on what I’m reading on FB tonight, there does, in fact, seem to be a dramatic “other side of this story”. A high school senior seems to have a ton of facts that you might find interesting.
Matt Bailey says
Sam, I’m betting there’s another side to this story. There usually is. Eddie Anderson is the heart and soul of Oak Ridge High School – not my words, but plenty of others over the years. There’s no “apparently” to it, he is a GREAT educator. Thousands of kids and parents owe Mr. Anderson a debt of gratitude for his commitment to education. His commitment to the track team and its members over the years is incredible.
Sam Hopwood says
Another interesting column by Bob Fowler in today’s KNS on last night’s school board meeting. If his reporting of the board chair’s remarks are accurate, intimidation and threats have raised their ugly heads in our little village. Who would’a thunk it? Kind’a sad. I don’t think our Super and Asst. Super can be intimidated. Why not let the investigation play out and go from there?