A Salina South Middle School teacher who sat on a student in the school’s weight room could be out of a job.
The USD 305 school board voted Tuesday night on intent to terminate the contract of Preston McCorkle. The 39-year-old teacher can request a hearing, at which time a final decision will be made.
During an incident back on September 6th, McCorkle allegedly sat on a student who was on a weight bench, The 13-year-old student passed out, fell off the bench, and sustained a cut when he hit his head.
The Saline County Attorney previously announced that McCorkle will not face criminal charges in connection with the incident, deeming it “playful in nature” with no criminal intent.
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UPDATE: Though no criminal charges will be filed, a Salina teacher could face discipline from USD 305 following an incident in which a student was injured in a weight room.
Back on September 6th it was reported a 13-year-old male student was bench pressing in the South Middle School weight room. When the student finished the exercise the 39-year-old male teacher sat on him. The student passed out and rolled off the bench, striking his head and sustaining a cut to his head.
According to Salina Police, upon completing an investigation the case was forwarded to Salina Municipal Court who requested the case be reviewed by the Saline County Attorney’s Office. The Saline County Attorney declined prosecution based on all witness statements indicating they did not feel it met the threshold for filing criminal charges.
Salina USD 305 tells KSAL News they conducted their own investigation, separate and wholly independent of the police department investigation. The teacher is on administrative leave at this time and will remain so through final employment determination by the school board.
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UPDATE: A Salina teacher will not face charges in connection with an incident in which a student was injured in a weight room.
Salina Police say they have completed an investigation of an incident which occurred at South Middle School on September 6th. It was reported a 13-year-old male student was bench pressing in the school weight room. When the student finished the exercise the teacher, a 39-year-old male, sat on him. Shortly thereafter, the student passed out and rolled off the bench striking his head on a portion of
the bench resulting in a cut to his head.
Upon completing interviews of all those present during the incident, the case was forwarded to Salina Municipal Court who requested the case be reviewed by the Saline County Attorney’s Office. The Saline County Attorney declined prosecution based on all witness statements indicating they did not feel it met the threshold for filing criminal charges.
The County Attorney determined based on the prevailing witness opinions, most felt the incident was playful in nature. Therefore they could not establish criminal intent.
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ORIGINAL: The injury of a Salina middle school student has prompted an investigation.
Salina USD 305 is actively investigating a report of a student injury that occurred during class in a weight room. The student received medical care under the supervision of parents/guardians. The report of the student injury was at South Middle School.
In accordance with district procedures, the teacher involved has been placed on administrative leave while a thorough investigation is conducted.
The district says the safety and well-being of students remain the top priority.
Due to the investigation, no further details including names of those involved, were immediately provided.
