A Fairbanks teacher, and Marysville resident, has resigned from his position following allegations that he had of a series of inappropriate relationships.
At a meeting in February, the Fairbanks Board of Education accepted the resignation of Ben Keller, marching band director and instrumental music teacher for grades 5-12.
KELLER
Keller has been with the district since 1993.
According to an educator misconduct report filed with the state superintendent of public instructions office, school administration received information that Keller was “engaging in improper relationships and interactions with former students.”
Additionally, according to the report, “one of the former students who made certain allegations is also a current employee who was under Mr. Keller’s supervision in the marching band program.”
The report includes that it was Keller who “initiated the inappropriate interactions.”
“Our school district promptly referred this matter to the Ohio Department of Education,” Superintendent Adham Schirg said. “The department is in receipt of this report, will investigate, and will decide if any of the allegations warrant action. We are waiting to hear back on next steps in this process.”
Officials said all of the former students are legally adults and were at the time of the conduct.
“No current student have made such allegations,” according to the report.
On Feb. 9, Keller was placed on paid administrative leave immediately. He was not to report to work, attend any school activity, be on school grounds or access district equipment or services during that time.
“You are not to communicate by any means, or through any person, with other school district employees on matters related to your employment, this investigation, or this leave except that you may communicate with your union representatives,” according the letter to Keller informing him he was being placed on leave.
On Feb. 16, Keller submitted his letter of resignation “for personal reasons.”
The resignation was effective at the end of the day Feb. 24.
According to the report, Keller’s resignation was “under threat of termination or non-renewal.”
Keller and the district reached a resignation agreement which was approved at the Feb. 22 school board meeting.
As part of the agreement, Keller was placed on sick leave effective Feb. 15 with an effective resignation date of Feb. 24. The district agreed to provide Keller with “a neutral letter of reference indicating the dates that he worked for the board, the position that he held and that he resigned for personal reasons.”
The district initiated an investigation into the allegations, but did not complete it because Keller resigned.
Attorneys for this district stressed that they are required to provide specific records, but not additional information.
“Anytime there are concerns across our community, we encourage our residents to share them with the school district,” Schirg said. “This allows us to follow up accordingly, as we did in this case. We all share in the safety of our schools and appreciate whenever we have people share information and/or concerns.”
He said the district “will continue to require that our employees comply with the law, ethical obligations, district rules/policies and the Educator Code of Conduct.”