FAYETTEVILLE — After nearly nine hours of testimony and 40 minutes of deliberation, the Fayetteville School Board upheld the recommendation that Tim Hollis, a teacher and debate coach, be fired.
The hearing started at 5 p.m. Monday and concluded shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday. Hollis had a 22-year teaching career at Fayetteville High School.
The board voted unanimously on a motion by board member Justin Eichmann to uphold Superintendent Vicki Thomas’ recommendation that Hollis be terminated for insubordination and making defamatory statements; for falsifying district documents; for the improper use of district funds; for the inappropriate use of the district e-mail system; and for allowing his teaching license to expire on Dec. 31, 2012.
The board unanimously agreed with each point in the dismissal except the improper use of district funds. On that point, the board said, it did not agree with superintendent’s recommendation.
Bentonville attorney Bryan Vernetti, who represented Hollis, spoke on Hollis’ behalf after the meeting.
“It’s sad they got rid of a teacher with such impact on students,” Vernetti said.
About 20 of Hollis’ former students sat through the entire proceedings, taking turns to hug him after the decision.
Vernetti said an appeal was possible.
Correction: A previous version of this story had the incorrect last name for Justin Eichmann. The error has been corrected.