Parents, students think state waited too long to discipline Xenia teacher

XENIA — Xenia school district officials said they reported allegations against a former teacher, along with the investigation into his conduct and his discipline, to the Ohio Department of Education in 2014.

However, it wasn’t until 2019 when the state board took action against William Dawson.

Xenia parents said that Dawson’s behavior was out of line.

“There’s a line between teacher and student that you should never cross,” said Sheriann Vellia.

But she thinks Dawson isn’t the only one who should be punished.

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“I think the state board should be disciplined themselves,” she said. “It should have been acted upon immediately.”

A state board of education resolution explained why Dawson’s application to renew his teach licenses were denied.

The document accused the teacher and coach of lending a student money for a car, having kids in his hot tub and hosting poker games years ago.

News Center 7 tracked down his personnel file, which showed the school reported his actions to the state in 2014, saying “the employee has engage or may have engaged in conduct unbecoming to the teaching profession.”

The file also said that Dawson was suspended for three days without pay.

“He was suspended while I was in school,” said Cody Vellia.

Cody Vellia  graduated from Xenia in 2017, but never had Dawson as a teacher.

He thinks that the state didn’t act fast enough.

“It’s scary to think that they either didn’t care or didn’t have the resources to put that on the front end,” he said. “They just put it on the backburner.”

Dawson also will be able to reapply and get his licenses back if he completes training and an evaluation.

Xenia school district leaders said they don’t have an answer on if Dawson will come back to work at the school.