ENID, OK - Enid Public Schools received a press release (below) from the Kay County District Attorney’s Office. It says, in part, “After a thorough investigation, no charges will be filed against the Board of Education or the administrators of the Enid Public School system. No evidence was found to support a criminal charge.
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The Enid Board of Education conducted a special hearing at 4:00pm on Tuesday, December 10, at the Enid Public Schools Administrative Services Center, 500 S. Independence. The purpose of the meeting was hear evidence regarding the termination or rehiring of EPS Police Chief Mike Dods.
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After a marathon special hearing that lasted until 1:30am the Enid Board of Education voted unanimously to terminate Officer Mike Dods.
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Both sides called multiple witnesses throughout the evening. Opposing attorneys were able to cross examine each witness and board members were able to ask questions.
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Officer Dods was first called and ended his testimony by stating that if it required him to be fired to keep the students safe he was alright with that.
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It was reported on November 11 that Enid Public School administrators and Officer Mike Dods had agreed to resolve the present dispute. Officer Dods was to return to work in November to serve EPS middle schools and elementary schools, and administrators and campus police officers was to receive training on proper reporting procedures to ensure parents, students, and staff are safe.
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A hearing to determine the future of campus police chief Mike Dods’ employment with Enid Public Schools was originally scheduled at noon on November 14. The Board of Education voted unanimously, without a hearing, not to approve the proposed November 11 settlement agreement with Michael Dods.
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The Enid Board of Education released a statement in which they stated that the board places extreme value on transparency, and they believe it is important to proceed with the hearing process which will allow all parties to provide complete and thorough information to the board and to the public.
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No Charges To Be Filed Against EPS
I’m really glad that officer Dod’s was reinstated. I still wonder if our HS students are safe. This really triggered some doubt or really confirmed my suspicion that our students are vulnerable. School shootings are so common and I know that’s what most are wondering, are the kids safe? Will anyone loose their job if they report what needs to be reported? Will EPS change it’s policies to be suspicious of unusual behavior and take action? Or, will teachers, staff and security fear their jobs will be taken if they speak up and report? I know I would wonder if I were staff. This whole deal makes me wonder even more if my kids are safe. EPS, I would rather you be exceedingly sensitive of the safety of our children than worry about saving face!!!
When is the school board going to take action on the principals and other school officials involved in this?
It sounds like the School Board did not approve the settlement so they can hear both sides of the story and make an informed decision on how to handle the situation.
I’m glad he got his job back (sort of) but this doesn’t address the fact the people responsible for putting our kids ar risk (Darrow etc.) have failed us all and still have jobs with no consequences. And I’m guessing if the kid in question who started all of this isn’t in school, he’s going to be. I have a female student in EHS and I definitely feel like as parents we need to make sure Darrow knows we see him now, we are watching and listening and won’t accept this hazardous favoritism. It’s dangerous and should never be tolerated. The wrong man was punished for doing the right thing. I hope the leaders of our school system can set their egos aside and see just what they’ve done and they start choosing to behave morally from here on out.
What are the going to do with the staff members? They should not be able to keep their jobs.
I’m thinking the School Board wants to hear both sides of the story so they can make a decision as to how to handle the situation.