Tennessee school board member censured after calling student ‘hot’ at meeting
A man raises a hand (Getty Images)
A Tennessee school board member has been censured after making a controversial comment to a high school student during a public meeting last week.
During an April 2 meeting of the Washington County Board of Education, board member Keith Ervin told a female student, “God, you’re hot,” while the meeting was being livestreamed.
The board in northeastern Tennessee approved a censure against Ervin during an emergency meeting on Wednesday, following calls from some members of the public to remove both Ervin and Superintendent Jerry Boyd. The student involved serves as a student representative on the board and had just finished asking a question about career and technical education when the exchange occurred. According to reports, Ervin approached her from the side, hugged her, and made the comment as the meeting continued.
“God, you’re hot. Do you know that? Damn. Where do you go to school at?” Ervin said during the meeting.
Ervin later defended his remarks, saying the comment had been taken out of context.
“Obviously, I’ve seen the clip. Look, I get it — if that’s all you’re seeing, I understand why people are reacting the way they are,” he said Wednesday. “But that’s not the full conversation, not even close. Last week at the board meeting I wanted to congratulate a student who did a great job sharing thoughts with all that was in the room.”
Ervin said he used the word “hot” to mean the student was performing well during her remarks, not to refer to her appearance.
“When I mentioned she was hot, I meant she was on a roll. It was nothing to do with her appearance. As a lifetime supporter of David Crockett High School, I was especially surprised to learn that’s where she went to school,” he said.
Ervin also noted that the viral clip circulating online shows only a few seconds from the two-hour meeting and argued that the full video provides greater context.
“There was no disrespect meant, and I apologize to her and her family for my comment reacting in the public for the incredible job she did as a student board member,” he said.
He added that he regretted the remark had “overshadowed what would have been a bright moment for one of our students.”
As Ervin concluded his remarks during the meeting, a man in the room shouted, “I watched it; you’re a liar!”
“I’d just like folks to take a look at it before jumping to conclusions. The video speaks for itself,” Ervin responded.
“It sure does!” a woman in the room replied.
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