Pawnee Teacher Resigns Ahead Of Due-Process Hearing Over Misconduct Claims

According to the Pawnee Public School District, it has accepted the resignation of a teacher who was apparently at the center of sexual misconduct allegations.

Jeff Tatum was the head girls’ basketball coach, a golf coach and a middle school and high school teacher at Pawnee since 2007.

His resignation was submitted to the school board a little over two weeks ago, the district said.

4/4/2013 Related Story: OSBI Investigates Teacher-Student Sexual Misconduct Claims At Pawnee High

In March, school officials received a tip accusing Tatum of sexual misconduct. The district hasn't named the tipster, and it won’t comment on the nature of the alleged misconduct or when it took place.

A source within the school district told News On 6 last month that the female student involved has since graduated.

Tatum was suspended for 10 days at the end of March. At the superintendent’s recommendation, he was stripped of his coaching duties at an April 9 special meeting. The board also set a May due-process hearing to discuss Tatum’s future as a teacher, which is required by law. The hearing was scheduled to take place on Thursday, but since Tatum submitted his resignation beforehand, it became unnecessary.

04/05/2013 Related Story: Pawnee School Board Relieves Teacher Of Coaching Duties

The OSBI said it is still investigating allegations of sexual misconduct between a teacher and a student within Pawnee schools, but investigators have not confirmed Tatum is the focus of that investigation.

Prosecutors in Pawnee County said charges haven’t been filed against anyone at this time.