A New Tampa middle school teacher is facing possible termination after reports of watching pornographic material during class, in full view of his students.
David Tenney, a sixth grade study skills teacher at Liberty Middle School, located off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms, reportedly exposed his students to pornography on more than one occasion. He has been suspended since August 10.
On June 28, Tenney, 51, of Odessa, received a letter from the Hillsborough County School District’s Office of Professional Standards (OPS), informing him of the allegations he is facing.
In the letter, Linda A. Kipley, the OPS general manager, writes that on April 27, Liberty principal James Arimmati informed the office that Tenney had reportedly exposed his students to pornography on several occasions.
“While you were using your personal laptop during instructional time, inappropriate pictures popped up onto the screen in full view of your students,” Kipley writes. “In addition, it was reported that while in your classroom during instructional time, students observed you watching a pornographic video on your personal cell phone.”
The letter states that although the District had the authority to take possession of the laptop and cell phone, Tenney refused the District any access to either device. Kipley goes on to detail the legal ramifications of Tenney’s actions.
“If determined to be true, (these) facts would constitute a legal basis for dismissal under the Hillsborough County Teacher Tenure Act,” she writes.
Under the Act, Tenney is accused of immorality, insubordination, persistent violation or willful refusal to obey laws and incompetency to perform the duties of employment. Tenney was arrested once in 2001 for violating a domestic injunction.
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