NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee State Board of Education has reinstated the teaching license of a former teacher who pleaded guilty to the statutory rape of a student in 2007.
The Tennessean reports (http://tnne.ws/2r082eP) former Moore County physical education teacher William S. Haynes had his criminal record expunged after serving four years of probation.
The state board denied a reinstatement of his license in 2012. He took his case to court and a judge ruled the details of the statutory rape case didn't meet the criteria to deny a license, and ordered the board to take another vote.
The board voted 7-2 in favor of reinstatement April 21, although each member expressed regret. State board member Mike Edwards said they would be in contempt of court if they denied the license again.