School board to vote to accept teacher's resignation
7/28/2014MOUNT BLANCHARD, Ohio - The Riverdale School Board will vote tonight to accept the resignation of Barb Williams, the teacher who appeared to be pushing a student in a video that surfaced in May.
The board‘s meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Superintendent Eric Hoffman said he has received Mrs. Williams‘ letter of resignation, but he would not release it until after the school board meeting.
“My recommendation will be to accept her resignation tonight at the board meeting,” Mr. Hoffman said, adding that the school board “usually” takes his recommendations about such matters.
Footage from school security cameras revealed Mrs. Williams shoving and using force against Riverdale student Ian Nelson, 6.
“Children of the Riverdale School District will be safer for her absence,” Dan Margolis, the lawyer representing the boy’s family, said. Mr. Margolis said the board would be “foolish” not to accept Mrs. Williams‘ resignation.
“I’m glad she is in fact resigning because it makes it easier for our clients to return to school,” Mr. Margolis said.
He said that all options are on the table in terms of legal action the boy‘s parents, Autumn and Anthony Nelson, may take against Mrs. Williams.
Mrs. Williams’ lawyer, Jay Feldstein, could not be reached for comment.
Mr. Hoffman was not worried about filling Mrs. Williams‘ position at the school, saying that the district has hired other teachers already this year and knows of candidates who may be interested.