Superintendent Don Martin yesterday suspended without pay a drama teacher facing charges of sexual misconduct with a student and possession of a firearm by a felon and is recommending that the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board fire him.
Ralph David Surridge was arrested Oct. 17 on several charges, including five counts of indecent liberties with a child, three counts of taking indecent liberties with a student and one count each of sexual offense with a student and statutory sexual offense with a minor. All of the charges are felonies.
He is being held in the Forsyth County Jail. Bond has been set at $750,000.
Martin suspended Surridge with pay on Oct. 19. Surridge has taught drama at Mineral Springs Middle School since 2003.
Surridge was convicted of embezzlement in New Hanover County in 1985 and was sentenced to six months in prison and three years probation. That conviction did not turn up in a criminal background check that school officials conducted when Surridge was hired.
Martin said in a statement that he is recommending that Surridge be dismissed for two reasons.
"First, our investigation supports his dismissal," he said. "That kind of behavior is absolutely unacceptable in our school system."
The school system has also reviewed Surridge's application and license-renewal information provided by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, Martin said. It appears that Surridge misrepresented his criminal background, Martin said.
School officials declined to say how he misrepresented that information.
Surridge has 14 days to either have a hearing with a case manager or ask for an appeal to the school board, said Theo Helm, a spokesman for the school system.
The earliest that the school board could take action on Martin's recommendation for dismissal would be Nov. 24, Helm said.
Martin said that the state education department is investigating whether to revoke Surridge's teaching license.
"I hope this unfortunate incident does not tarnish the image and reputation of the thousands of dedicated teachers who work hard each day to ensure that our children have the best possible educational opportunities."
mhewlett@wsjournal.com.
727-7326
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement