Report: accused teacher did no wrong

Judd Morse Staff Writer

Ada March 27, 2008 12:49 pm

— In a letter presented to Ada School System Superintendent Pat Harrison, school attorney Ken Johnson determined there was no wrong done on the part of Ada High School English teacher Kathy Lowry. The letter is a result of research into accusations of gross misconduct against Lowry, originally made in November 2007.
Harrison delivered an official statement to Ada Evening News, stating that “According to Mr. Johnson’s report issued to the Board of Education, we have no legal ground to take disciplinary action against Mrs. Lowry. I thought it was important that Mr. Johnson continue the investigation into the allegations made at the February board meeting because of the seriousness of the accusations.
“Ken Johnson has been our school attorney for many years, and I very much value his judgment. If he says there is no evidence for legal action here, then none will be taken. Had there been evidence to the contrary, then we would be taking the appropriate action.”
The events were first brought to light in February 2008 as Daniel Luhmann, his mother Rachel Vick, and Jane Cooper addressed the Ada School Board, accusing Lowry of, among other things, operating a school vehicle with students inside after consuming an alcoholic beverage, and distributing alcohol to minors during a “Mock Trial” event held in Dallas.
In his address to the school board, Luhmann also mentioned former Ada coach Steve Dean and his wife Angie Dean, saying that “she has tried to discredit Steve Dean and his wife Angie Dean since the beginning of this investigation,” and “she has tried to force Jane Cooper and me to pick sides between her and Angie Dean.”
Lowry, who had made no public statement since the allegations were first made, filed a lawsuit against Luhmann, Vick, Sharon Dean and Christy Dean for an unspecified amount over $10,000, including claims they committed libel and slander against her, invaded her privacy and cast her in a false light, and caused emotional distress.
Johnson’s complete report will be published in tomorrow’s AEN edition.