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Tennessee School Board Member Charged With Assault Over Contact With Student at Livestreamed Meeting

The case highlights limits on removing elected school board members under Tennessee law.

Overview

  • Washington County board member Keith Ervin faces an assault charge for physical contact tied to April 2, when a meeting livestream showed him put his arm around student member Hannah Campbell and say, “God, you’re hot.”
  • After the clip drew wide backlash, Ervin apologized at an April 8 meeting, saying he meant she was “on a roll,” and the board voted to censure him.
  • Campbell addressed the board on May 7, calling the behavior unwelcome, sexist, and derogatory, and she rejected what she called fake apologies.
  • The school district said it is aware of the indictment and will defer to law enforcement and the courts because it cannot remove an independently elected member under state law.
  • Court records note his first appearance is set for August, and reporting recalls a 2009 censure for a lewd gesture as petitions and public pressure continue.