Alabama school superintendent seeking to void contract of teacher who confessed to sex with student

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- An Alabama school superintendent is asking his school board to void the contract of a teacher who was arrested and accused of having sex with a student on Friday.

Franklin County Schools Superintendent Gary Williams sent a letter to suspended Vina physical education teacher Sonny Tibbs on Tuesday afternoon informing him that he is requesting that the school board terminate his teaching contract. Tibbs, who has been suspended with pay, has 15 days to respond before the matter will be discussed at a board meeting.

The teacher is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student on multiple occasions. According to investigators, he has confessed to the allegations.

"The punishment for this type of situation is severe. It's going to be life-changing. People are going to think negative of it -- and they should, it's justified -- but hopefully this time around, this is the end of this. Of course, we can't guarantee it, but maybe enough lessons have been learned that this won't happen again," Williams said.

"I'd like to say to the parents of Vina and all the Franklin County schools that we don't condone this type of behavior and we will take measures to stop it… I want to say I hope it's the last time it happens; that this will put an end to it," he said.

Sheriff Shannon Oliver said that Tibbs’ arrest was a disappointment to the community. He is the second Vina teacher to be arrested for having sex with a student after Kimberly Bynum was charged in 2011. Charges against Bynum were dropped.

"I think it's easier sometimes said than done, but keep an open line of communication and cell phone, keep in contact with who they're texting and talking to, and really get to know their teachers," Oliver said.

[WAFF]