A1A South

JACKSONVILLE, FL — John Boswell says he was just trying to defend himself and his art students in a dangerous situation, but the Duval County School Board voted to suspend him without pay, pending termination.

The unanimous vote against the Sadie Tillis Elementary teacher came after Boswell defended himself before the board during public comment.

“I used the uttermost discretion in managing the student,” said Boswell Tuesday night.

“This young man is not a student in my art class. He has a record of misconduct and he came into my room bullying my children.”

“As I attempted to tell [his teacher] of his behavior, he yelled, “Liar, I’ll kill you,” then used the “n” word.

He then overpowered her to come back into the room at me where I stood with the children.”

Boswell said, “He swung at my face yelling, “I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you.”

I caught his wrists, saying the whole time, “Calm down son, calm down,” which is confirmed by his teacher.”

Witnesses reportedly told school investigators that the student was not out of control. Boswell was never arrested.

He ended his comments saying, “Whatever you decide, I have clearness of conscience because I’ve told you the truth.”

Jim Moser is a teacher at Lee High School.

He told the board six teachers have been assaulted at his school this year.

From his Arlington home Wednesday afternoon, Moser said, “One teacher was shoved to the ground, one teacher was shoved against the door of his classroom, and another teacher had a lock thrown at him and he got hit in the head.”

Two science teachers quit at Lee High School in November, saying they didn’t feel safe enough.

At that time, the principal told First Coast News that her school wasn’t perfect, but she believes her teachers feel safe.

Moser says he’s running for school board, despite his own story.

“The first time I was head-butted in the ribcage.

The second time I was shoved in the chest and the third time which happened back in December of this last year I was shoved into lockers.”

When asked why he stays, Moser said, “I stay because the kids are worth it.”

Boswell’s attorney told the board, “We have kids in our community that are acting really crazy.

They’re shooting, they’re violating the law and doing a lot of bad things.

This teacher just touched a kid, asked him to calm down and tried to hold this kid, and now he’s up for termination.”

As for Boswell’s suspension and pending termination, the school board says it can’t say much more than that Boswell was suspended with a vote of 7-0, and he has appealed for a hearing which means a judge out of Tallahassee will decide if Boswell loses his job.

No date has been set.

Source:

While I do not have enough information to have an informed opinion, I do know that the Duval County School where I was doing an internship routinely swept violent and potentially violent acts under the rug so as to not upset higher administration.