School Board Member Who Called Teen 'Hot' Is Charged

A longtime Tennessee school board member who told a student she was "hot" during a livestreamed meeting is now facing a criminal charge. Washington County board member Keith Ervin has been charged with misdemeanor assault after he wrapped an arm around the teen at an April 2 meeting, hugged her from the side, and said, "God, you're hot," shortly after she'd questioned officials about career and technical education, NBC News reports. The student later returned to the microphone at a May 7 meeting, calling the adult members "cowards" for what she framed as inaction and describing Ervin's behavior as "sexist and derogatory."

Ervin, on the board since 2006, has apologized, saying he meant "hot" as in "on a roll," not as a comment on her looks. The board formally censured him for "grossly inappropriate" actions, but went no further. In a statement acknowledging the charge, it says state law prevents members from removing an "independently elected" colleague, per WCYB. The outlet previously reported that Ervin was censured once before in 2009 after entering a high school classroom unannounced. He reportedly admitted to using profanity and making a "lewd, juvenile gesture of a sexual nature" in front of students. His first court appearance is set for August.