Student called ‘hot’ by BOE member at Tenn. school board meeting pushes for change

By Geoff Herbert | gherbert@syracuse.comA student school board representative is speaking out after a Board of Education member called her “hot” at a school board meeting.WJHL reports the drama began in April when Washington County Board of Education member Keith Ervin addressed Hannah Campbell, a then-student at David Crockett High School (DCHS) in Johnson City, Tennessee. A livestream video of the meeting shows Ervin at one point putting his arm around Campbell and hugging her from the side.“God, you’re hot. Do you know that? Damn. Where do you go to school at?” Ervin asked the teen.Few in the room reacted but Campbell, who was a senior at the time, pulled away as he appeared to squeeze her shoulder a second time. The exchange went viral, and public outcry ensued.According to WSMV, Ervin was charged in May with assault physical contact. The school board voted to censure him and a petition called for his removal, though he remains on the board.Campbell, who has since graduated from DCHS, told WJHL that changes are needed.“Nobody should ever be treated that way in any type of setting,” she told the local TV station. “Especially one where you should be able to feel safe because it’s a professional environment.”“And that just makes me feel like more people should understand that some mistakes can’t be afforded to be made, especially seeing the reputation that not only Washington County has got after that, but Tennessee as a whole.”Campbell and her mother April encouraged others to vote for write-in candidates for the school board, potentially replacing Ervin at the next election.“...It was awful,” Hannah said Saturday. “And, you know, it happens behind doors and you have to be more aware of who you’re putting into office. And not just voting for them because they’re your friend or because you know them around town, but who’s going to represent you the best.”NBC reports Ervin, who has been a BOE member since 2006, suggested his comment was taken out of context. Ervin told WJHL Saturday that he stands by his original statement.“Last week at the board meeting I wanted to congratulate a student who did a great job sharing thoughts with all that was in the room,” he said in April. “When I mentioned she was hot, I meant she was on a roll. It was nothing to do with her appearance.”According to the New York Post, Ervin was previously censured in 2009 for making a lewd sexual gesture when a high school student said they held a job where they made $8 an hour.Ervin is next scheduled to appear in Washington County court on Aug. 7.Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert is a Reporter and Content Supervisor for Advance Local. He covers a wide range of topics including entertainment, national news and trending topics, plus specializes in search engine...