UPDATED @ 1:45 PM Dothan School Board Hearing On Tim Wilder Underway

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Nov 14 2014 9:02 AM

DOTHAN:   The Dothan School Board is holding the open hearing into allegations on Dothan School Superintendent Tim Wilder.

The choice of the hearing being behind closed doors or behind closed doors was the choice of Tim Wilder.

Wilder made the choice to have an open meeting.

Wilder is being represented by Attorney Ed Price. The Dothan School Board is being represented by Attorney Jere Segrest and Kevin Walding.

Mr. Price contends the School Board has not followed their policy and procedures. As Price called Wilder to the stand, Mr. Segrest stands up and reads to the board the contract of Wilder.

Wilder is placed on the stand and is testifying.

Time is 9:02 AM. We are live streaming.

WILDER

Wilder said there was a strategic planning meeting with the school board and the board approved a Public Relations and Grant Writing position. The posiiton was discussed and approved.

Exhibit 3 is an Affaidavit that Segrest had served on Mr. Wilder. The announcement was changed after discussions with Mr. Weeks the Personnel Director.

Wilder told the applicant, Etheredge, she was in the top of the applicants. 

It was clear this job entails after hours work. It was also clear there is a lot of text and there is a lot text and email. Wilder said he was on the go a lot and that he communicates a lot between text and and email.

Wilder, if he does the interview, makes it clear the terms of the contracts. And the contract is a probationary contract and the person can be terminated. IN a 2 year contract they can be terminated at any time. Wilder said that is normal in his interviews with anyone in explaining their contract. Wilder also says that all information at the Central Office is confidential and done so to protect the privacy but the children.

Reading in a affadavit from Enterheidge. In the affadavit there were allegations that Wilder asked her to return to work after everyone left. Wilder denied it.

Etheredge said on September 8 Wilder came into Etheredge's office to tell her of a dream he had. The affadavit said that he never told her of a dream. The affadavit said Wilder called Etheredge back with the dream and it was graphic. Wilder dnies that he has made sexual comments or advances on Ms, Etheredge.

Price prsents to Wilder a document that he says that Price was given about 9 PM last night. It was a document from 2005. Wilder said he knows nothing about that document.

At 9:15 PM Segrest shows Wilder some documents. He asked where was he when text messages were made. Segrest said these messages came from Wilder's phone. Wilder denies the messages from his phone.

There was discussion about Mark Williams the Director if IT from the Dothan School Board. Segrest said there is messages generated such as one last night. Wilder said he has not had the phone in two weeks and some messages just shown had date from last night. Wilder said he did not have the phone.

Segrest shows Wilder a document of a text to a lady in Texas at 9:40 PM on a Sunday night.

The messages concern an event that was well attended. The messages was with a person that was leaving the Dothan Education Foundation. At 10 PM Sunday evening Wilder is texting with a former employee of the Education Foundation. 

Segrest suggests that Wilder asked the employee did she want to come over to his house because he was sitting by the fire taking a drink. Wilder's wife was not at home but traveling from Florida.

Wilder asked Segrest if he wanted to go to character and Segrest said his character was not at issue. Wilder said he woild welcome for he and Segrest to challenge character.

Segrest said it was improper for Wilder to invite the person to his house.

Discussion then went to Mark Williams. Wilder said he had no reason to beleive that Mark Willias would falsify documents.

It is 9:29 and Wilder is released from questions. Harry Wayne Parrish then asked for some water. This has Parrish nervous and ne needs some water.

TO BE UPDATED.

MARK WILLIAMS @ 9:31 AM

Segrest calls Mark Williams, Director of Dothan IT. Under the direction of Mr. Weeks, Acting School Superintendent, Williams was directedto pull information from the phone. Later Segrest and Walding appeared for Williams examination from the phone.

Williams searched for software to look for delited text messages. The software was purchased and put on Williams on computer. The software was used to retrieve all messages, pictures and information on the phone assigned to Wilder.

Williams went directly to the phone. There were a lot of unknown messages and dates on the phone. There was information on the phone that was garbaled and all information as not accurate. How that information got onto the phone Williams could not say.

Segrest directed Williams to look at October 10, 2014. Was the message with an employee of the Dothan SChool Board.

Ed Price asked who told him the chain of custody. He said Segrest. Price asked about the app "spoof my text". Williams was not fimiliar with the app. Price shows Williams the app from Price IPAD. Williams said he did not know if the information was on the phone or if the information was reliable.

Segrest asked did he tamper with the phone and he said no. 

Williams said he was asked by Mr. Kevin Walding to pull things from the phone. Williams refused until he had something in writing from the Acting School Superintendent, which was done at 8 PM.

It is 9:39 AM and Segrest asked the board to take a break.

LAURIE BRANDON @ 9:49 AM

She is the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent. She took the phone from Harry Wayne Parrish.

At 9:51 AM Segrest announces he id done.

Chairman Parrish ask if any school board members have any questions. Hill aksed if the print out was from Wilder's phone. Hill asked who comments were made in front of about blue jeans.

Chris Maddox asked if all evidence was introduced.

Gilbert ask about the phone messages, were the phone messages from Wilder or before Wilder.

Mark Williams was called back before the board. Gilbert said information taken from the phone, but they are dates before Wilder was employed. No one had the phone before Wilder and he has no idea of where the dates appeared.

Price said the information taken from the ohone is not reliable and he would ask the information not be considered.

Williams said any and all information could be wrong. Some dates are from 2005.

Maddox said he was only able to sue Wilder's phone. There is infromation from the cloud but was unable to retrieve. Williams said getting information from the cloud would take several hours. Williams said this is new software used only for this case.

Williams said Wilder has had several phones and he has no knowledge of when he got the phone. Walding asked if anyone else had the phone before Wilder.

Williams could not tell who the messages were sent. Addision asked when Wilder got this phone and Williams could not answer without further research.

At 9:58 AM Addision said the Affadavit from Tory Etheredge, Mr. Price said no Notary. But Exhibit 7 has a notary seal. Segrest said she is sworn and that is his legal assistant and she is a Notary because his office pays for it.

Parrish asks if when in Executive Session can they come out and ask questions.

Parrish ask Williams, how accurate is the information. Williams said it came from his phone but he can not say how it got there.

Gilbert asked, this system we have could it manufacture the date. Williams said he does not know where it got the date.

Parrish said it has a time, is that accurate. Williams said it could be the time sent.

10:02 AM Parrish ask for witness to remain.

Ed Price tells the board, as closing comments, the contract says he shall not be termintaed arbitraily. Guidelines are to be followed. Price gave the text messages from Etheredge and Wilder. Etheredge said she came to work July 2 and two days later this started. Price said he has marked messages from July 2 through September 8. The last date anything was said, this "horrible" statement was made. Etheredge never complained and no one ever said go and make a complaint. This policy is for early intervention and that reason is to stop before we get to today.

If the policies had been followed, Wilder would not be here and be drug through the mud. There has been no investigation. We get this last information in the last hours before this hearing. Wilder has done a lot of good things. Tory Etheredge paid Wilder a compliment and that is not from someone who has been sexually harrassed.

SEGREST - wants t respond to Price. Etheredge had a job and hired by this board on a recomendation from Wilder. She had a good job and would never falsify anything. 

Price objected...because Segrest said Etheredge had a $ 48,000.00 a year job.

SEGREST...said when you get to a point, when you view the sexual harrassment, she finally said I can't work here anymore.

Price said if you want to put her on the stand, do so but you can not testify.

SEGREST...she was thought well enough of to be hired. Use your common sense and look at it.

PRICE... On September 4, four days before this incident happen, she text to Wilder. Just posted your video. Reminder it is Laurie;s birthday. Etheredge also ask is your daughter going to be here? Price ask is that from someone who has been sexually harrassed.

PARRISH asked if Etheredge was here? Segrest said everything we coukd prove we have proven. She is here and the documents show everything. Segrest said they would put her up to testify if the board wants and Price could examine.

Maddox said in fairness to Wilder, I would like her testimony.

At 10:13 AM Segrest leaves the board room for Etheredge to testify

At 10:14 AM Tory Etheredge is brought into the board room by Jere Segrest.

She was Public Relations and Manager of Grants. She testified all said was in her affadavit. SHe said Wilder told her on two occassions he could fire her.

Wilder said he did not deal well with jealous husbands because he would text and email a lot. SHe told him her husband.

During the second interview he did not deal well with jealous husbands.

There as a time when Wilder called her back to the second office, She stated she did not know how to take this and he said lighten up, dont be so serious and have some fun.

Etheredge, crying, said Wilder text her on September 8, busy day? She said had to got to MOrris Slingluff. 

Walding ask about phone convrsation. Wilder said just wanted to talk shit. Wilder said he as at Central office. He said got to tell you about this dream it was so wild. He text later and said he could talk some shit. Tory said can't wait to hear this. He said he had the wildest dreams, one when you wake up don't know if real. We were at the same gas station, got out of my car, gave them a look, walked into the bathroom, put the tiolet seat down and I ate that.... and you screaming and we did not even .... ( have sex ). Said that from the dream he could still taste her.

PRICE asked did he tell him not to texta again. Price said why did you not complain. SHe was hired July 22 and continued through September 28. Etheredge said she did not know the policies. She finally went to the Director of Personnel. She talked with her pastors wife and pastor.

Price showed Etheredge an affadavit and said it was not shown. It was dated October 21, three days before the affadavit we were provided. The affadvait said all text messages are attached. Etheredge said she had erased all of the text messages, Etheredge said he has provided all information on October 22.

Etheredge said when she decided her job or family, she told them. She did not want any other woman to get hurt. I am a youg woman with a famly. It was tearing up my family and I decided it was time to take a stand.

Price showed text message that he said he was able to get.

Parrish asked if they had Etheredge's phone. Price said yes but they were denied access.

Price continues and goes to July 17. 

TIME 10:27 AM in this hearing ).

On July 17 you tetified to Wilder...we are so excited and can not wait until dig my heels in and get started,

Etheredge was not a grant writer and went and got certified that Wilder set up.

On July 22, Etheredge text to Wilder thanks I am so excited.

When asked the exact date the harrassment started, Etheredge said she could not say. Then  she said Juky 24 is when happen.

Price said on July 24, what was said. Wilder asked if any tweets sent and they said to set a goal of 5 tweets a day to get information about Dothan City Schools out.

On July 24 Etheredge said Wilder said he might want to block his mumber because that when he started popping tops no telling what would come out of his mouth. Etheredge said she was answering questions from The Dothan Eagle and WTVY. They were laughing about choco's and she did not know what they were. Etheredge said she and her husband laughed about it.

Etheredge said there was ab inappropriate ext message and she said she has no idea of why it is not in the paperwork.

Later Etheredge said she was going to enroll her daughter at Hidden Lakes. Etheredge said Price had skipped some things, is Brandon jealous yet? Brandon wants to know if steaks ready. Said no texts but we could modify. Said he might not like text thing and can modify. Etheredge said her husband was 100% in support.

Price said this started 2 days after employed. Ethereidge said, why would I have to block my husbands number.

Price ask on July 26, 7:55 PM, after hours. Wilder ask what were you doing. Etheredge said said it easd a longer conversation. Said sitting on the porch cooking out and drinking beer. Price said I can not figure out why you are having conversations with someone who was harassing you.

ON JUly 28 at 6:55 PM. Wilder said he needed a beer and Etheredge said she needed 12. He asked was she home yet and said no. She asked if he had a charger for the camera to bring it and he said he did.

On Juky 31 Etheredge text Wilder to tell me when you have a second. Said her step son was going to be with her and see her office and she wanted the family to meet her new boss. Etheredge asked what is so strange about that.

Etheredge had never talked with any school board members.

Etheredge said in her short 3 months a lot had happen. She testified she was nervous and had no grant writing experience. Etheredge said her mom was sick and her dad did not live here.

On August 8, 9:21 AM text, Etheredge text that she loved hearing him speak and he was a great leader for the school system. Wilder said aw, your sweet.

Etheredge said she loved her job and wanted to keep it.

When asked who to talk to she was told to talk to Mr. Weeks or Personnel. She thought about it over the weekend because she did not feel she could do her job.

Monday, August 18

WALDING asked if it was fair to go through each and every text. Price said he wanted all text messages. Price said he asked the Board Attorney for each and every text and he was not given the text messages,

Price and Etherdge continues with text messages.

September 9, 5:15, Etheredge etxt to Wilder, are you at Slingluff? Wilder no. Etheredge said on way to Hoover.

September 11 Etheredge said so excited to be here and several people from all over here.

This was one week after statement from Wilder to Etheredge that was horrible.

Etheredge text to Wilder...working with Slingluff and Faine, takes time for planning because working on a 100,000 polayground project. Said definetely feeling the pressure. That was because Wilder asked if he had written any grants.

Etheredge said she told Wilder to his face, when ge followed her to his office. He asked if he was feeling paranoid.

Someone made a comment in the audience and Parrish said if anyone raises hand or makes a comment Parrish instructed Dothan Police to remove them from the meeting.

Later in text Etheredge said she had psoted pictures. Wilder asked if her mom and dad were fine and how was the job.

She sent Wilder a text picture of the grant writing award,

NOTE: Etheredge said this is not all of the text messages.

Wilder asked how Etheedge was feeling. She said her phone was blowing up. He asked why and she never responded.

There were text the next day about prices. There was a smily face and two thumbs up that Entheredge said back to Wilder.

Etheredge said she wanted to keep her job.

NOTE:  Time is 10:56 AM just updated from this point up. So we continue.

Questions from Price to Etheredge.

DId you sign anymore affadavits? She says gave a copy of text messages and they were some delited. Price ask why Segrest would not give them the text.

Etheredge said Price was not involved just another attorney.

At 10:58 AM Price is finished with Etheredge. Segrest had no follow up questions and no board members had any questions,

Attorneys had no more. Parrish said board had not done this before.

Ken Curtis objected at Executive Session and Mr. Wilder  did not object.

Parrish was a smart ass to Ken Curtis in his answer and Melanie Hill made motion for executive session. At 11:01 AM they went into Executive Session.

UPDATED @ 1:45 PM

After three hours of closed door meetings the Dothan City School Board came back and voted to terminare Tim Wilder.

 

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