Terry Parker High School teacher facing suspension for allegedly punching student

A Terry Parker High School teacher faces a 30 day suspension over allegations he punched a student and tried to get another student to lie about what happened.

The vote on the suspension was initially scheduled for Tuesday night, but WOKV confirmed that has now been removed from the agenda. An email from the Superintendent to the School Board Tuesday afternoon says Darryl Countryman’s attorney contacted the District because two employee witnesses say the District report doesn’t accurately reflect their statements.  The Superintendent says he wants to “ensure accuracy of reporting to the Board” before a final vote takes place.

The Duval County School District investigation in to Countryman says the charges stem from an incident September 27^th, when he called for assistance to his classroom. A teacher and paraprofessional reported seeing Countryman punch a student and hold that student to the ground.

The involved student, a ninth grader, told the District that he told Countryman to “shut up”, at which point Countryman had the other students escorted from the classroom. The student claims Countryman slapped his phone from his hand, pushed his face, pushed him out of his chair, and then punched him in the face and head when he was on the ground. He further says Countryman held him from behind with one arm around his neck, choking him. The student had visible bruising and knots, according to investigators.

Another student told investigators she saw what happened and was told by Countryman and a paraprofessional to lie about what she witnessed, even writing a false statement for her to sign. That student later came forward, telling investigators she wanted to tell the truth- that she had seen Countryman getting in the student’s face and pushing him. Another student also reported witnessing the physical contact.

The investigation details a few other teachers and paraprofessionals who reported seeing some kind of physical contact and aggressive behavior on the part of Countryman. One teacher even said he had to get in between Countryman and the student.

Countryman declined to be interviewed by the District, instead submitting a statement through his Duval Teachers’ Union representation. The statement says the student and another student- the two had an on-and-off romantic relationship- were involved in an argument that was escalating, and that the student involved was getting in Countryman’s face and cursing. The statement further says the student pushed Countryman, at which point Countryman used a “one arm wrap around technique” to try to subdue the student. Countryman is approved in Professional Crisis Management.

The paraprofessional who escorted the students from the room also submitted a statement saying the student was the aggressor.

None of the other witnesses to the event reported seeing the student push Countryman.

The report says DCPS Police determined last month that they would seek criminal charges against Countryman, but there are no court records indicating those charges have been filed at this time. A DCPS Spokeswoman tells WOKV the investigation is still active, so further details on their investigation are not yet available. The email from the Superintendent says the matter has been referred to the State Attorney’s Office for possible criminal prosecution.

The Department of Children and Families continues to investigate as well.

It’s unclear at this time which of the witness statements in the report are being questioned at this time.