VAN BUREN (KFSM) - A Van Buren teacher accused of slapping two students in the span of three months was terminated by the school board Tuesday (April 14) night following more than three hours of deliberation.
Denan Cagle, a former science teacher at Northridge Middle School, was placed on administrative leave after she received a letter from Van Buren School District Superintendent Kerry Schneider on Feb. 2. In that letter, Schneider notified Cagle he was recommending to the school board that she be fired.
The school board meeting began at 6:30 p.m. at the school district's administration building and school officials announced their decision to terminate Cagle just before 10 p.m.
According to a statement made by school officials during the meeting, a student said Cagel hit him in the face in November 2014. An arrest warrant issued for Cagle in February 2015 states another student accused her of slapping him on the shoulder so hard that it left a red mark and a handprint. Cagel was charged with third-degree battery following that incident. A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf on Feb. 27, and her trial on that charge is scheduled for May 7 at 1 p.m., according to court records.
Cagel's attorney was present at Tuesday night's meeting. He said Cagel was protecting another student during one of those slapping incidents and cited the employee handbook, which states employees can use reasonable force when needed. According to the attorney, that rule is not clearly defined.
Cagel's attorney also questioned the way the investigation into the allegations against his client was handled. He told the board only select students were questioned regarding the incidents, instead of Cagel's entire class.
School officials read statements submitted by students out loud during the meeting. Several of those them stated Cagel hit one of her students in the face.
Cagel's attorney said his client had worked as a teacher for 27 years prior to the superintendent's termination recommendation. She will be allowed to appeal her termination, but according to the superintendent it will have to be done through the courts instead of the school board.