A Tennessee school board member who hugged a teenage girl and called her “hot” during a public meeting last month has been charged with assault, according to court records.
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The assault charge – physical contact stems from an April 2 incident in which Keith Irvin, a student member of the female board, who had just finished asking questions about career and technical education, put his arm around her, hugged her from the side and said, “Oh my god, you’re hot.”
No attorney is listed in Washington County court records as available to speak on Irvin’s behalf, and Irvin did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday night.
During the public comment portion of the May 7 meeting, the student called adult members of the school board “cowards” for what she characterized as a “failure to act.”
“First, I would like to address Irvin’s actions, which were not only unwelcome, but sexist and derogatory,” she said, standing on stage in front of members including Irvin, who sat with his arms crossed. “I know this because he has never behaved that way towards male members and I believe he never will.”
Following public outcry, Irvin apologized for his actions. At the April 8 meeting, he said that when he called the girl “hot” he meant “she’s in great shape” and had nothing to do with her appearance.
At its meeting, the board censured Mr. Irvin, who has been a member since 2006. In a statement Tuesday to NBC affiliate WCYB in Bristol, the school board said it did not have the authority to remove Irvin from the school board because Tennessee law says school board members are independently elected officials.
“The board reiterates that Mr. Irvin’s actions do not reflect the standards, policies, and values of the school district,” the statement said. “The Board will defer to law enforcement and the judicial system to resolve these charges.”
During public comment, the girl told board members: “I don’t accept a false apology to protect myself. I don’t think you deserve that kind of reassurance.”
The members did not respond to her and moved on to other topics in the meeting.
Irvin’s first court appearance is scheduled for August.
