CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Montgomery Central High School teacher has resigned as multiple external investigations continue into allegations he showed nude photos to a student.
Matthew Vedder resigned from the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System on Thursday, April 9, while assigned to an alternative worksite pending the outcome of the investigations, according to a statement sent to NewsChannel 5 by Anthony Johnson, Chief Communications Officer for CMCSS.
“On Thursday, April 9, Matthew Vedder resigned from CMCSS... By resigning, he waives any rights to due process from CMCSS, which is afforded to all tenured teachers by state law.
Since there are ongoing external investigations, CMCSS has no information regarding the investigations, and I cannot speculate on the outcome of the investigations. However, based on what was officially reported to CMCSS by law enforcement on March 9, even an accidental display of inappropriate content could have resulted in disciplinary action up to and including charges of dismissal for conduct unbecoming."
The investigation stems from a March 9 incident involving a 17-year-old student.
As previously reported by NewsChannel 5, the student, Makenzie Ellithorpe, said Vedder showed her multiple nude photos on his phone during class. Vedder told investigators the images were shown accidentally, while Makenzie and her family said the act was intentional.
“It is a breath of fresh air for the children at the school and my daughter at school to know that they're not ever going to have to be around him at school,” Adam Ellithorpe, Makenzie’s father, said. “But at the same time, we feel like that this process has just begun. His resignation is just the beginning of the justice for Makenzie.”
Johnson said the district has submitted an initial report on Vedder to the State Board of Education and will file a final report once the investigations are complete.
As a parent, staying one step ahead of the "bad guys" is getting increasingly tough due to the vast landscape of the online world. Like me, if you are raising kids - Phil Williams' latest investigation is a must see. I appreciate the knowledge and practical steps he delivers in this report.
- Carrie Sharp
