Tennessee’s Board of Education is seeking to revoke the license of a teacher under investigation by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office for allegations of assaulting students and being a possible child abuse perpetrator.

The sheriff’s office, with cooperation from Rutherford County Schools, continues to investigate Blackman High teacher Richard C. Kimberly.

Kimberly was suspended without pay by now-retired Rutherford County Schools’ Director Harry Gill Jr. in April after the school system asked the sheriff’s office to investigate a complaint about Kimberly. Gill reported the sheriff’s investigation alleged Kimberly had “inappropriate conduct with students” and the teacher violated school board policies. Kimberly asked for an appeal hearing that is set Aug. 23.

Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Mickey McCullough of the Family Crimes and Special Victims Unit was requested to investigate Kimberly in April, an investigation that remains active. The case was presented to the Rutherford County Child Protection and Intervention Team and District Attorney William Whitesell by a supervisor and investigator from the Department of Children’s Services Special Investigative Unit.

The results were presented to Rutherford County Schools’ attorney Angel McCloud.

Rutherford County Schools notified the state Board of Education about the allegations. Tennessee School Board attorney Danelle F. Walker notified Kimberly in a July 16 letter his license is subject to revocation for good cause. 

“The board proposes to seek revocation of your teaching license for your assaulting of students and DCS indication as a perpetrator of child abuse,” Walker stated.

Kimberly has 30 days to request a hearing before the state board. If he does not request a hearing, Walker stated she would recommend the board revoke Kimberly’s license.

He is a criminal justice instructor, head bowling coach and assistant boys’ soccer coach.

As part of the investigation, McCullough obtained a letter from Blackman Principal Gail Vick to Kimberly Feb. 28 advising him that communicating with students through social media outside of school is inappropriate.

“As your principal, my expectation is that you will refrain from social connections with students outside of school either by social media or otherwise,” Vick wrote. “Failure to comply with these expectations will result in further disciplinary action.”

Also, McCullough obtained an email from Kimberly to Vick after the teacher met with Gill.

“I am still awaiting his decision on the consequences of my poor judgment in being involved in the horseplay at the back of the bus,” Kimberly wrote. “I wanted to write to you and let you know that I am truly sorry to have caused you more stress and disappointment in me.”

The latest episode brought his inability to see things at times that he needed to, the teacher wrote.

“I certainly now see how things looked and how bad it appeared for me to be in the middle of those activities,” Kimberly wrote. “As I told Mr. Gill, this latest turn of events has certainly caught my attention and I assure you I will not allow myself to be drawn in to such things in the future. I know that in my position as teacher and coach I must set the proper standard before my students and players.

“I am hoping this lesson will not be too costly,” Kimberly wrote.

McCullough said if anyone has information or concerns about their children’s contact with Kimberly to contact him at 904-3043.