NewsWest 9
ECTOR COUNTY - District officials took a step forward in terminating an Odessa High School JROTC instructor Tuesday during a regular school board meeting.
The Ector County Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to give Sgt. Dion Davis notice of proposed termination.
Davis, who began working as Senior Army Instructor at Odessa High in September 2012 and was placed on paid administrative leave after assault allegations surfaced in September 2014, will have 15 days to appeal the proposed termination.
He was not available for comment.
"It's really out of our board's hands at this point," said ECISD Superintendent Tom Crowe. "He can appeal this to the Texas Education Agency. If he does that, then they will appoint a hearing officer. It's really up to them at this point."
Crowe and other district officials were unable to discuss factors that influenced their decision to move ahead with termination, per ECISD policy regarding personnel issues.
Kyle Foster, the Odessa High JROTC student who was allegedly assaulted by Davis, said he was "relieved" his former instructor could ultimately be fired.
"[Things at school] were stressful because of it and my emotions were a mess," he told NewsWest 9. "I've never feared anyone really, but there's always been those moments where I've kind of had to look over my shoulder and ask myself, 'Is [Sgt. Davis] there? Is he going to be there?'"
District officials plan to send Davis a letter Wednesday, formally notifying him of their proposal to terminate his employment contract.
"If he does not appeal it within 15 days, then we will move forward with the termination," said Crowe.
