Image Credit: Jake Witter / Facebook & Roane County School District
Submitted by Tony Adams [Constitutional Liberties Commission of TN] –
From a constitutional Conservative perspective, the Roane County School District’s handling of the case involving Jacob Witter reflects a troubling failure to protect students and maintain accountability.
Witter, a former baseball coach at Roane County High School and a current teacher reassigned to Midtown Education Center, was accused of sexual harassment and other unethical behavior toward female students.
According to multiple reports, Witter made inappropriate sexual comments, including telling a student that she should be cautious about male teachers once she turned 18 and body-shaming both students and staff.
Furthermore, he engaged in demeaning actions such as pulling a female student’s ponytail and accusing another student, falsely, of being pregnant.
Sources:
• Coach and Athletic Director (oai_citation:1,Roane County High School Teacher And Coach Accused Of Sexual Harassment | Tennessee) (oai_citation:2,Tennessee teacher, coach accused of sexual harassment – Coach and Athletic Director)
The repercussions faced by Witter—three days of administrative leave without pay, removal from his coaching position, and reassignment to a different teaching role—fall significantly short of the consequences that would be expected in comparable situations of public trust. If a police officer were found making similarly inappropriate remarks to a member of the public, or if a pastor engaged in such misconduct with their congregation, they would almost certainly face termination and likely criminal charges. These professions, which carry a duty to protect the vulnerable, have strict ethical standards precisely because of the potential harm that can arise from a breach of trust.
The district’s decision to transfer Witter rather than remove him entirely from a teaching environment suggests a reluctance to hold educators fully accountable, even in cases where student safety is compromised. This insufficient response reflects poorly on the leadership’s commitment to upholding high standards of safety and integrity within schools. For parents, it raises serious concerns about whether the district is truly prioritizing the well-being of their children. Parents trust school authorities with the safety and development of their children, but when unethical behavior by educators is met with such a mild response, that trust is inevitably eroded.
For constitutional Conservatives, this issue underscores fundamental principles of accountability and protection of the vulnerable.
The Roane County School District has a duty, not unlike that of law enforcement or religious leaders, to ensure the safety and well-being of those under its care. The failure to impose more significant consequences on Witter sends a message that inappropriate conduct will be tolerated as long as it does not cross the threshold of criminal activity. Such a stance is unacceptable, as it undermines both the ethical foundation of the education system and the trust that parents must have in those responsible for their children.
This situation calls for a reassessment of the district’s approach to accountability.
Meaningful repercussions are essential to signal that student safety is the highest priority and that any violation of trust will be met with serious consequences. Without such measures, parents may continue to lose faith in the district’s ability to protect their children and may seek alternatives to ensure their safety. Public servants, whether in education, law enforcement, or any other field, must be held to the highest standards to maintain public trust and fulfill their responsibility to those they serve.
