Published: October 18, 2006 12:31 pm            

An unfortunate event

NEWTON — In an unfortunate turn of events, a former Newton County teacher who was also an assistant coach was arrested last week and charged with sexual battery alleging that he had sex with a minor female at West Marion High School.

After those charges were made public, a female student at Newton County High School came forward with similar charges against Steven Harris.

Newton County Sheriff Jackie Knight charged Harris with five counts on Tuesday – two for statutory rape and three for sexual battery.

Newton County Superintendent of Education Billy Pierce said he was made aware of a situation with Harris and a minor female student at Newton County High late in the school year in the spring of 2006. Pierce said Harris was warned about the actions by Principal Rodney Tadlock. Tadlock witnessed the action again and Harris was warned for the second time. After the second warning, Pierce said the behavior continued and he was compelled to ask Harris for his resignation.

Harris resigned and then went job hunting. A neighboring school that was looking for a girls softball coach called and asked about Harris. Pierce said he was open with the superintendent from that school district about Harris and the female student.

The neighboring school dropped Harris from their consideration.

Then Harris was in the running for the head baseball coach’s job at West Marion. Pierce said the principal from West Marion called Tadlock and asked about Harris and why he was asked to resign. Pierce said Tadlock was open with the East Marion principal about the situation, that there were some inappropriate behavior but no charges.

We certainly believe that Pierce and Tadlock acted in the best interests of the county and the school system here. While it may have been harsh to dismiss Harris on circumstantial evidence at the time, their intuition has proved to be accurate.

Pierce said his main concern here was for the welfare and safety of the kids in his school district.

As far as we’re concerned, as long as you make a decision with that in mind, it’s likely to be the right decision. We’re just glad to see that there is someone who is strong enough and has courage enough to do the right thing for our children.

        

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