ÿWPCP ¦¯×ÎHúÚ7äÛnú@ûŠ·‘9ÁÇŽ¨Y:i¿¬À>6N«‘xW^4$Ì‘ÑtNm£õMÑ/‡ŒµÌ ÙÐù/æbË?±_8  wÏ“* ã@Ô¿*+ôc““ šQeï¸~o)iÇ3Ðd‘ {©¢ìL+ýÚ¢¬)OsY||ÜQÖÊ+ÝeŽ…¨¸Ø;/>iC=SNNU‘çŒÖÑ¢JcmnM›ýÃ)9Ñ©‘Э´(Z2º"w0»‘_oRâ:Í¡žÞÐá¹oŸë$_¼àj<<¥ÜϬ«¢ÿPT!>D;{3£¢,|kúSè4[—%A²¨+nŒß_²¿T!šìJÌÿÊÆ'$—ζ£aÏ…3lC"€\»rd¢µ嘭â=Ïsãܰ‡\Ô‡¦NBsˆyDï±Puë%ÙÚ¤ßu‡IÑ ÕïX}žq5zÅ@árJCƒÕ%±¹‚üíåéÌ-ƒc‹Þ’,|¦™yµð[±Ø0âSlf‘ÞE¸ÓOØÆÁÍÎý‚¨gý”¥ ”ÃöŠ}R$ ˜]tè5ì ¬]Z¯ªºÀ]•‡2Ïo_'Èë¬ï$¶ù{¡4p«ˆ†¾ËªŽlV­¼ßX±1ávÃŒ¾Î˜ÒLeªUÜ$>Vš¯=<b %\UNb 0ˆ° 0D8U!N|NÊ 0cÌ z/ Ò© U@{ U:» Kõ ^ @ ÆL Æ ÆØ ÆžRdN¶ 1‡¸ 72?Eq 0ws 0Šê 0 t 0´ 0ÇÈ 0Û 0ïj 0DY 1u 72wD4H\k mm#Á„„„„„„„„bEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 0ëMMMM B88 0¤U D3ù D-, 0KYY AS¤Æ÷ 0¤½ 0Da A«¥»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman ,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular AÝ ƒRz’$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôúuò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€record€indicates€that€C.P.€had€previously€lived€with€Mr.€Sykes€and€Ms.€Price€in€October€of€1997€with€theÐ ° Ðapproval€of€the€Department€of€Human€Services€and€C.P.ððs€mother.­p -s Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 HÝ ƒRz’$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôúuò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWe€note€that€the€Ô_ÔTTAÔ_Ô€uses€the€terms€ð ðunprofessional€conductðð€and€ð ðconduct€unbecoming€a€member€of€theÐ ° Ðteaching€professionðð€interchangeably.h‹sCEIMQUY]aAutoList1""""""""i)1)a)"(Oé;$µµà0  àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#à(b·¤$¶¶à0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#à(xir$··à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ (#¸ (#à(ŒÜ$¸¸à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0h(#(#à(ŸF$¹¹à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0Àh(#h(#à(³Àô$ººà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0À(#À(#à(ǵ{$»»à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0p(#(#à(F$ïïà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àÔ2#ÔÙ ÙÚ  ÚÚ  ÚÙ Ù)Ô3  Ôà0Èp(#p(#àÙ Ù3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)9‚±, ¡3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0- ù-(|G2z’$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€VÕ»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôúuò»»Ô d(|3‰g$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€VÕ»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‰g$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€VÕ»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€VÕ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼VÕ»»»ÔÑ8€áXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îLŒî»¼VÕÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼VÕ»îîLŒ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓJuly€9,€2002€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XáX»¼VÕÔÌò òÔ#†¼VÕ»XXáñ#ÔRONNIE€SYKESòòóó€v.€ROBBIE€RICHARDSON,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡XáX»¼VÕÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Smith€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€6265€€€€€€The€Honorable€Don€R.€Ash,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2001„02097„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€August€13,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡XáXXXáÔà  àTenured€teacher€filed€a€petition€for€review€of€board€of€education€action€discharging€him€fromÐ xÈ  Ðhis€teaching€position.€€The€trial€court,€the€Honorable€Don€R.€Ash,€presiding€by€interchange,€upheldÐ d´ Ðthe€decision€by€the€board€of€education.€€Petitioner€appeals.€€We€affirm.Ð P  ÐÔ#†XáXXXáÄ#ÔÔ#†¼VÕ»XXál#ÔÔ‡XáX»¼VÕÔÌÓ¸ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmedó óÐ d ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼VÕ»àXá|#ÔÔ‡XáX.¼VÕÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòDavid€R.€Ô_ÔFarmer,JÔ_Ô.óóÐ ì< Ðand€òòHolly€Kirby€Ô_ÔLillardÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Ø( ÐÌJohn€H.€Baker,€III€of€Murfreesboro€for€Appellant,€Ronnie€SykesÐ ° ÐÌRobert€G.€Wheeler,€Jr.,€Nashville,€for€Appellees,€Robbie€Richardson€and€the€Smith€County€BoardÐ ˆØ Ðof€EducationÐ tÄ ÐÓÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼VÕ»XXáJ#ÔÔ‡XáX»¼VÕÔÐ L œ ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼VÕ»XXᎠ#ÔÔ‡XáX»¼VÕÔÓ  ÓÑ8€áXdìXXdì8Ñà  àThis€case€arises€under€the€Tennessee€Teachersðð€Tenure€Act,€T.C.A.€ðð€49„5„501,€òòet€seq.€óó(1996)Ð $"t! Ð(ð ðÔ_ÔTTAÔ_Ôðð).€€Appellant/Petitioner,€Ronnie€Sykes€(ð ðMr.€Sykesðð),€was€a€tenured€teacher€in€the€SmithÐ #`" ÐCounty€Schools.€€Until€his€suspension€in€October€of€1997,€Mr.€Sykes€had€most€recently€taughtÐ ü#L# ÐVocational€Agriculture€at€Smith€County€High€School.€€The€record€indicates€that€Mr.€Sykes€receivedÐ è$8 $ Ðfavorable€performance€reviews€and€had€served€as€principal€for€several€schools€during€his€28€yearsÐ Ô%$!% Ðwith€the€Smith€County€school€system.Ð À&"& ÐÌà  àMr.€Sykes€dismissal€was€precipitated€by€events€which€occurred€on€October€22,€1997Ð ˜(è#( Ðconcerning€Mr.€Sykesðð€fianc,€Christine€Price€(ð ðMs.€Priceðð),€his€roommate,€Michael€Velosic€(ð ðMr.Ð „)Ô$) ÐVelosicðð),€and€C.P.,€a€fifteen€year„old€girl€who€had€run€away€from€a€State€juvenile€facility€in€BradleyÐ p*À%* ÐCounty,€Tennessee.€€On€that€date,€police€pulled€over€Ms.€Price,€Mr.€Velosic,€and€C.P.€following€aÐ \+¬&+ Ðtip€that€the€group€was€passing€forged€checks€in€Mr.€Sykesðð€name.€€After€learning€that€Ms.€Price€andÐ H,˜', ÐMr.€Velosic€lived€with€Mr.€Sykes€and€used€illegal€drugs,€the€police€brought€Mr.€Sykes€in€forÐ 4-„(-ý Ðquestioning€regarding€the€checks€and€alleged€drug€use€in€his€home.€€During€his€interview€with€police,Ð ° ÐMr.€Sykes€executed€a€consent€form€allowing€the€police€to€search€his€home.€€When€asked€what€theyÐ œì Ðmight€find,€Mr.€Sykes€informed€the€police€that€he€was€aware€of€a€marijuana€pipe€in€the€bathroomÐ ˆØ Ðof€his€home.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àDuring€their€search€of€Mr.€Sykesðð€home,€police€found€drug€paraphernalia,€including:€postersÐ L œ Ðpromoting€the€use€of€illegal€drugs;€a€marijuana€pipe;€a€plate€with€drug€residue€on€it;€a€homemadeÐ 8 ˆ Ðdrug€pipe;€a€spoon€used€for€cooking€crack€cocaine;€rolling€papers;€and€a€rolling€machine.€€AccordingÐ $ t Ðto€police€testimony€presented€at€the€Board€of€Education€hearing€on€Mr.€Sykesðð€termination,€theÐ  ` Ðparaphernalia€ð ðwas€scattered.€.€.€throughout€the€house.ðð€€Michael€Thompson,€the€Director€of€theÐ ü L  Ð115th€Judicial€District€Drug€Task€Force,€one€of€the€officers€who€conducted€the€search,€testified€thatÐ è 8  ÐMr.€Sykesðð€house€ð ðwas€typical€of€a€house€that€was€pretty€much€running€rampant€in€drugs.ððÐ Ô$  ÐÌà  àDuring€their€investigation,€the€police€learned€that€C.P.€was€a€runaway€from€a€State€juvenileÐ ¬ü  Ðfacility,€and€had€been€living€in€Mr.€Sykesðð€home€for€approximately€10€days.€€Mr.€Sykes€testified€that,Ð ˜è  Ðalthough€he€suspected€C.P.€had€run€away€from€the€juvenile€facility,€he€did€not€report€her€whereaboutsÐ „Ô  Ðto€the€proper€authorities€because€she€had€recently€given€birth€to€a€baby€she€was€not€able€to€keep,€andÐ pÀ Ðhe€felt€badly€for€her.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Based€upon€their€investigation,€the€police€issued€two€criminal€warrants€againstÐ \¬ ÐMr.€Sykes€for€contributing€to€the€delinquency€of€a€minor€and€possession€of€drug€paraphernalia€onÐ H˜ ÐOctober€22,€1997.€€Mr.€Sykes€was€subsequently€suspended€from€his€teaching€and€bus€driving€dutiesÐ 4„ Ðon€October€23,€1997.€€On€November€11,€1997,€Robby€Richardson,€Superintendent€of€the€SmithÐ  p ÐCounty€Board€of€Education€sent€a€memorandum€to€Mr.€Sykes,€charging€him€with€conductÐ  \ Ðunbecoming€to€a€member€of€the€teaching€profession€as€defined€in€T.C.A.€49„5„511(a)(3).€€OnÐ øH ÐJanuary€17,€1998,€Mr.€Sykes€accepted€pretrial€diversion€on€both€of€the€criminal€charges.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àThe€Smith€County€Board€of€Education€(the€ð ðBoardðð)€held€a€hearing€to€determine€whether€Mr.Ð ¼  ÐSykes€should€be€dismissed€from€his€tenured€teaching€position.€€At€the€end€of€the€hearing,€the€BoardÐ ¨ø Ðvoted€five€to€two€in€favor€of€a€finding€that€the€charges€against€Mr.€Sykes€were€proven€by€aÐ ”ä Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence,€and€five€to€one,€with€one€member€abstaining,€to€dismiss€Mr€SykesÐ €Ð Ðimmediately.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àMr.€Sykes€filed€a€ð ðComplaint€and€Petition€for€Writ€of€Certiorariðð€with€the€Chancery€CourtÐ D!” Ðof€Smith€County€on€April€6,€1998.€which€the€trial€court€granted€on€April€22,€1998.€€At€a€hearing€heldÐ 0"€  Ðon€June€20,€2001,€the€trial€court€stated€that€the€Boardððs€decision€would€be€affirmed.€€On€July€24,Ð #l! Ð2001,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€sustaining€the€decision€of€the€Board.€€Attached€to,€andÐ $X" Ðincorporated€into,€that€Order€were€the€trial€courtððs€Findings€of€Fact€and€Conclusions€of€Law€filedÐ ô$D # Ðon€July€23,€2001,€providing:€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÔ‡ XáXXXáÔà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIn€1997,€Chief€Lewis€of€the€Carthage€police€departmentÐ ¸'#& Ðinterviewed€Mr.€Ronnie€Sykes€in€the€course€and€scope€of€theirÐ ¤(ô#' Ðinvestigation€of€worthless€checks€being€passed€around€the€CarthageÐ ° Ðarea€by€three€individuals,€Christine€Price,€Michael€Velosic,€and€C.P..€Ð œì ÐDuring€the€course€of€their€investigation,€Mr.€Sykes€told€Chief€LewisÐ ˆØ ÐC.P.€had€recently€begun€to€reside€with€him€and€Ms.€Price.€€He€wasÐ tÄ Ðaware€that€C.P.€was€a€runaway.€€In€fact,€C.P.€was€an€escapee€from€aÐ `° Ðjuvenile€facility€in€another€county.ÐL œ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àWhen€asked€if€the€police€could€search€his€residence,€Mr.Ð $ t ÐSykes€gave€consent.€€He€did€disclose€to€Chief€Lewis€they€would€findÐ  ` Ða€marijuana€pipe€in€the€bathroom€area€of€the€house.€€Upon€inspectionÐ ü L  Ðof€Mr.€Sykes€home,€Detective€Mike€Thompson€and€Chief€LewisÐ è 8  Ðrecovered€various€drug€paraphernalia€including€rolling€papers,Ð Ô$  Ðmeasuring€scales,€a€cooking€spoon,€medical€Ô_ÔhemostatsÔ_Ô,€razor€bladesÐ À  Ðused€for€crack€cocaine,€a€rolling€machine,€a€homemade€pipe€forÐ ¬ü  Ðsmoking€crack€cocaine,€as€well€as€the€previously€mentionedÐ ˜è  Ðmarijuana€pipe.€€Many€of€these€items€were€recovered€from€the€masterÐ „Ô  Ðbedroom€of€the€home.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àEvidence€presented€by€the€Police€Department€at€trial€indicatedÐ H˜ Ðthat€in€their€opinion€the€home€appeared€as€though€it€was€ð ðrunningÐ 4„ Ðrampant€in€drugsðð€and€was€ð ðcommon€with€individuals€using€crackÐ  p Ðcocaine€as€a€drug€house.ðð€€Mr.€Sykes€was€eventually€charged€withÐ  \ Ðcontributing€to€the€delinquency€of€a€minor€and€possession€of€drugÐ øH Ðparaphernalia.€Ms.€Price€and€Mr.€Velosic€were€also€charged€withÐ ä4 Ðpossession€of€drug€paraphernalia€and€each€pled€guilty.€€Mr.€Sykes€wasÐ Ð  Ðgranted€pre„trial€diversion€on€both€charges.м ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAt€the€time€of€his€arrest,€Mr.€Sykes€was€a€fifty„year€oldÐ ”ä Ðteacher€at€Smith€County€High€School.€€After€the€conclusion€of€theÐ €Ð Ðcriminal€cases,€a€school€board€hearing€was€held€on€whether€toÐ l¼ Ðcontinue€the€tenure€of€Mr.€Sykes.€Mr.€Sykes€testified€while€heÐ X ¨ Ðrecognized€it€is€unlawful€to€possess€drug€paraphernalia,€he€did€notÐ D!” Ðknow€of€any€unlawful€drug€usage€in€his€home.€€In€fact,€he€knew€hisÐ 0"€  Ðfiancee,€Christine€Price,€to€be€a€crack€cocaine€addict€althoughÐ #l! Ðtestifying€Ms.€Price€had€never€used€drugs€in€his€presence.Ð$X"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThough€he€stated€he€knew€for€what€activity€the€drugÐ à%0!$ Ðparaphernalia€was€used,€he€had€only€seen€paraphernalia€in€his€homeÐ Ì&"% Ðon€a€few€occasions.€€Mr.€Sykes€further€testified€he€knew€it€wasÐ ¸'#& Ðunlawful€to€harbor€an€escaped€minor,€but€did€not€report€C.P.€to€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðauthorities€even€though€she€lived€in€the€Sykes€residence€for€10€to€11Ð )à$( Ðdays.Ð|*Ì%)` x` x ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€November€11,€1997,€Superintendent€Richardson€advisedÐ ° Ðthe€Smith€County€Board€of€Education€he€had€suspended€Mr.€SykesÐ œì Ðwithout€pay.€€Richardson€also€notified€Mr.€Sykes€he€was€beingÐ ˆØ Ðcharged€with€the€cause€for€dismissal€of€a€tenured€teacher€known€asÐ tÄ Ðð ðconduct€unbecoming€to€a€member€of€the€teaching€profession.ðð€€TheÐ `° Ðbasis€for€the€charges€against€Mr.€Sykes€and€the€recommendation€forÐ L œ Ðdismissal€by€Mr.€Richardson€was€the€result€of€the€two€criminalÐ 8 ˆ Ðwarrants€being€filed€against€Mr.€Sykes.€€On€November€19,€1997,€Mr.Ð $ t ÐSykes€was€notified€the€Smith€County€School€Board€had€certified€theÐ  ` Ðcharges€against€him€on€the€grounds€of€unprofessional€conduct€orÐ ü L  Ðconduct€unbecoming€to€a€member€of€the€teaching€profession.€€He€wasÐ è 8  Ðgiven€a€statement€of€his€procedural€rights€issued€by€the€TennesseeÐ Ô$  ÐDepartment€of€Education€per€T.C.A.€94„5„511.ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àSmith€County€High€School€Principal€Roger€Lewis€testified€theÐ ˜è  Ðschool€had€numerous€programs€aimed€at€educating€children€againstÐ „Ô  Ðdrug€use.€€He€further€testified€the€School€Board€has€a€policyÐ pÀ Ðprohibiting€paraphernalia€by€students€and€Mr.€Sykesðð€actions€areÐ \¬ Ðcounter€to€what€he,€as€principal,€is€trying€to€accomplish€inÐ H˜ Ðdiscouraging€students€from€using€drugs.Ð4„` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àSmith€County€School€Superintendent€Robbie€RichardsonÐ  \ Ðrecommended€Mr.€Sykesðð€dismissal€as€a€tenured€teacher€because€theÐ øH Ðconduct€displayed€by€Mr.€Sykes€was€unbecoming€as€a€member€of€theÐ ä4 Ðteaching€profession€and€was€in€direct€violation€of€the€job€descriptionÐ Ð  Ðof€a€secondary€school€teacher.€€The€job€description€reads,€in€part,Ð ¼  Ðð ð[the€job]€was€to€represent€the€school€and€community€in€a€positiveÐ ¨ø Ðmanner.ðð€€Mr.€Richardson€did€not€have€that€authority€at€the€time€ofÐ ”ä Ðthis€hearing€to€fire€Mr.€Sykes.€€He€occupied€his€office€by€way€ofÐ €Ð Ðelection€and€only€had€the€power€and€authority€to€recommend€theÐ l¼ Ðdismissal€of€the€Plaintiff€Sykes.ÐX ¨` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àTestimony€was€also€presented€regarding€the€ð ðimmoralÐ 0"€  Ðactivitiesðð€in€Mr.€Sykesðð€relationship€with€his€Ô_ÔfinanceÔ_Ô€ChristineÐ #l! ÐPrice.Ð$X"` x` x ÐÌà@//'ìàòòTHE€LAWóóˆÐ à%0!$ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThis€case€comes€before€this€court€on€a€writ€of€certiorariÐ ¸'#& Ð(T.C.A.€49„5„5139(a)).€€The€standard€by€which€this€matter€isÐ ¤(ô#' Ðreviewed€is€òòde€novoóó€with€no€presumption€of€correctness€attaching€toÐ )à$( Ðthe€School€Boardððs€finding€of€fact,€and€this€Court€is€required€toÐ |*Ì%) Ðdetermine€all€issues€as€if€no€prior€determination€had€been€made;Ð h+¸&* Ðsubstituting€judgment€for€that€of€the€school€board.€€(òòHenderson€v.Ð ° ÐMembers€of€the€Benton€County€Board€of€Education,óó€2000€Tenn.€App.Ð œì ÐLEXIS€223).€€The€burden€of€proof€to€be€considered€is€aÐ ˆØ Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€that€the€facts€in€the€record€exist€thatÐ tÄ Ðmeet€one€of€the€statutory€causes€for€dismissal€of€a€tenured€teacher.Ð `° Ð(òòWilliams€v.€Ô_ÔPittardÔ_Ôóó,€604€S.W.2d€845€(1980).ÐL œ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àFive€elements€may€be€considered€by€this€court€whenÐ $ t Ðdetermining€the€termination€of€a€tenured€teacher€in€the€State€ofÐ  ` ÐTennessee€when€charged€with€ð ðconduct€unbecoming€a€member€of€theÐ ü L  Ðteaching€community.ðð€€They€include€but€are€not€limited€to,€a)Ð è 8  Ðimmorality;€b)€conviction€of€a€felony€or€a€crime€involving€moralÐ Ô$  Ðturpitude;€c)€dishonesty,€unreliability,€continued€willful€failure€orÐ À  Ðrefusal€to€pay€oneððs€just€and€honest€debts;€d)€disregard€of€the€Code€ofÐ ¬ü  ÐEthics€of€the€Tennessee€Education€Association€in€such€a€manner€asÐ ˜è  Ðto€make€one€obnoxious€as€a€member€of€the€profession;€or€e)€improperÐ „Ô  Ðuse€of€narcotics€or€intoxicants.€€(T.C.A.€49„5„501(3)).€It€appears€Mr.Ð pÀ ÐSykes€was€given€clear€notice€of€the€charges€against€him€as€well€as€aÐ \¬ Ðstatement€of€his€procedural€rights€issued€by€the€TennesseeÐ H˜ ÐDepartment€of€Education€per€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€49„5„511.Ð4„` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àA€significant€question€here€is€whether€or€not€there€is€a€rationalÐ  \ Ðnexus€between€Mr.€Sykesðð€charges,€whether€convicted€or€not,€and€hisÐ øH Ðability€to€teach€and€influence€young€people€in€Smith€County.€€BasedÐ ä4 Ðupon€the€record,€the€question€must€be€answered€in€the€affirmative.ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThis€Court€finds€the€ð ðimmoral€activitiesðð€between€Mr.€SykesÐ ¨ø Ðand€Ms.€Price€were€irrelevant€and€the€focus€of€the€School€BoardððsÐ ”ä Ðdecision€encompassed€the€charges€of€drug€paraphernalia€and€theÐ €Ð Ðcontributing€to€the€delinquency€of€a€minor.€€It€is€also€apparent€to€thisÐ l¼ Ðcourt€that€the€action€of€the€Smith€County€School€Board€against€Mr.Ð X ¨ ÐSykes€was€not€ð ðarbitrary€and€capricious.ðð€€Based€upon€the€facts€andÐ D!” Ðthe€existing€laws,€it€is€the€opinion€of€this€Court€that€the€decision€ofÐ 0"€  Ðthe€Smith€County€Board€of€Education€be€affirmed.€€Costs€shall€beÐ #l! Ðassessed€to€Mr.€Sykes.€€Mr.€Wheeler€shall€draw€the€Order.Ô#†XáXX Xá§#ÔÔ‡XáXXXáÔÐ$X"` x` x ÐÌà  àMr.€Sykes€appeals€the€Order€of€the€Smith€County€Chancery€Court€and€presents€the€followingÐ à%0!$ Ðfour€issues€for€our€review:€(1)€Whether€the€Board€denied€Appellant€his€statutory€and€due€processÐ Ì&"% Ðrights€to€a€full€and€fair€hearing€by€considering€matters€which€were€not€included€in€the€notice€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðcharges€provided€to€Appellant;€(2)€Whether€the€Board€incorrectly€determined€that€service€of€twoÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcriminal€warrants€was€sufficient€grounds€for€termination€of€a€tenured€teacher;€(3)€Whether€theÐ )à$( ÐBoardððs€decision€was€arbitrary€and€capricious€because€the€Board€improperly€reasoned€that,€becauseÐ |*Ì%) Ðdrug€paraphernalia€was€found€in€Appellantððs€home,€Appellant€must€be€guilty€of€illegal€possessionÐ h+¸&* Ðof€drug€paraphernalia;€and€(4)€Whether€there€was€material€evidence€to€support€the€Boardððs€findingÐ ° Ðthat€Appellant€should€be€terminated€from€his€tenured€teaching€position.€€For€the€following€reasons,Ð œì Ðwe€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€order.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àJudicial€review€of€teacher€tenure€cases€is€controlled€by€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€Ô#†XáXXXá~E#ÔÔ‡ XŸØ XXXáÔððÔ#†XáX X XŸØµJ#ÔÔ‡XáXXXáÔ€49„5„513€which,€as€pertinentÐ `° Ðto€the€issue€before€us,€provides:Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€A€teacher€under€ð ðpermanent€tenureðð€or€ð ðlimited€tenureðð€statusÐ $ t Ðwho€is€dismissed€or€suspended€by€action€of€the€board€may€petition€forÐ  ` Ða€writ€of€certiorari€from€the€chancery€court€of€the€county€where€theÐ ü L  Ðteacher€is€employed.Ðè 8 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(b)€The€petition€shall€be€filed€within€thirty€(30)€days€from€the€receiptÐ À  Ðby€the€teacher€of€notice€of€the€decision€of€the€board.€€The€petitionÐ ¬ü  Ðshall€state€briefly€the€issues€involved€in€the€cause,€the€substance€ofÐ ˜è  Ðthe€order€of€the€board,€or€the€respects€in€which€the€petitioner€claimsÐ „Ô  Ðthe€order€of€the€board€is€erroneous,€and€praying€for€an€accordantÐ pÀ Ðreview.€€The€petition€shall€be€addressed€to€the€presiding€chancellorÐ \¬ Ðand€shall€name€as€defendants€the€members€of€the€board€and€suchÐ H˜ Ðother€parties€of€record,€if€such,€as€were€involved€in€the€hearing€beforeÐ 4„ Ðthe€board.Ð p` x` x ÐÌÓ€ (‹sx3Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àà  à*à0h` x` xàà0Àhxhxà*à0ÀxÀxàà0pxxà*ÐøHpxpx ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(f)€€All€defendants€named€in€the€petition,€desiring€to€make€defense,Ð Ð  Ðshall€do€so€by€answer€(in€which€grounds€of€demurrer€shall€beÐ ¼  Ðincorporated)€to€the€petition€within€thirty€(30)€days€from€the€date€ofÐ ¨ø Ðthe€filing€of€the€petition,€unless€the€time€be€extended€by€the€court.€€.Ð ”ä Ð.€.ЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(g)€The€cause€shall€stand€for€trial€and€shall€be€heard€and€determinedÐ X ¨ Ðat€the€earliest€practical€date,€as€one€€having€precedence€over€otherÐ D!” Ðlitigation,€except€suits€involving€state,€county€or€municipal€revenue.€Ð 0"€  ÐThe€review€of€the€court€shall€be€limited€to€the€written€record€of€theÐ #l! Ðhearing€before€the€board€and€any€evidence€or€exhibits€submitted€atÐ $X" Ðsuch€hearing.€€Additional€evidence€or€testimony€shall€not€be€admittedÐ ô$D # Ðexcept€as€to€establish€arbitrary€or€capricious€action€or€violation€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðstatutory€or€constitutional€rights€by€the€board.ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà  àThis€Court,€in€òòò òWinkler€v.€Tipton€County€Bd.€of€Educ.óóó ó,€63€S.W.3d€376,€381€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ¤(ô#' Ð2001),€noted€the€appropriate€standard€of€review€for€cases€under€the€Ô_ÔTTAÔ_Ô:Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àJudicial€review€of€a€teacher€dismissal€case€pursuant€to€€T.C.A.Ð ° Ðâ âðð€49-5-513€requires€the€chancery€court€to€review€the€transcript€of€theÐ œì Ðhearing€before€the€board€in€order€to€determine€òòò òwhether€there€was€anyÐ ˆØ Ðmaterial€evidence€to€support€the€board's€decisionó óóó.€€If€there€is,€it€isÐ tÄ Ðthe€responsibility€of€the€trial€court€to€affirm.€€On€the€question€ofÐ `° Ðwhether€the€Board€acted€arbitrarily,€capriciously€or€illegally,€the€trialÐ L œ Ðcourt€may€hear€new€evidence€and€must€make€independent€findings€inÐ 8 ˆ Ðthis€regard.€€Our€scope€of€review€on€appeal€from€chancery€court€is€noÐ $ t Ðgreater€than€that€court's€review€of€the€Board€decision.€€Seeòòò ò€GoodwinÐ  ` Ðv.€Metropolitan€Board€of€Healthó óóó,€656€S.W.2d€383,€387€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð ü L  ÐApp.1983).Ðè 8 ` x` x ÐÌòòò òId.€ó óóó(quoting€òòò òWallace€v.€Mitchellóóó ó,€No.€W1999„01487„COA„R3„CV,€2000€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€558,Ð À  Ðat€*6„7€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.16,€2000)€(emphasis€added).Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àWe€first€address€Mr.€Sykeððs€contention€that€the€Board€failed€to€provide€him€with€adequateÐ „Ô  Ðdue€process.€€Specifically,€it€appears€from€the€record€that€Mr.€Sykes€is€alleging€that€the€Board€deniedÐ pÀ Ðhim€due€process€by:€(1)€failing€to€adequately€describe€the€nature€of€the€charges€against€him;€and€(2)Ð \¬ Ðby€considering€other,€uncharged€conduct,€in€arriving€at€its€decision€to€dismiss.€him.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àThere€is€no€question€but€that€Mr.€Sykes€is€entitled€to€notice€and€a€hearing€under€the€TTA.€Ð  p Ðòòò òSee€óóó óÔ_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðððð€49„5„512,€513€(1996).€€The€Ô_ÔTTAÔ_Ô€provides€that,€ð ðWhen€charges€are€made€to€the€boardÐ  \ Ðof€education€against€a€teacher,€charging€the€teacher€with€offenses€which€would€justify€dismissal€ofÐ øH Ðthe€teacher€under€the€terms€of€this€part,€the€charges€shall€be€made€in€writing,€specifically€stating€theÐ ä4 Ðoffenses€which€are€charged.ðð€€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€49„5„512€(1996).€€Similarly,€the€Ô_ÔTTAÔ_Ô€provides€that,€once€aÐ Ð  Ðteacher€receives€notice€of€charges,€he€has€the€right€to€a€hearing€before€the€school€board,€at€whichÐ ¼  Ðtime€he€may€present€witnesses€and€evidence€in€his€defense.€€òòò òSee€ó óóóÔ_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€49„4„513€(1996).€€In€thisÐ ¨ø Ðregard,€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€has€recognized€that:Ð ”ä ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àWhile€the€Tennessee€Teachers'€Tenure€Act€may€not€provideÐ l¼ Ðtenure€teachers€the€full€range€of€procedural€safeguards€that€areÐ X ¨ Ðmandated€for€criminal€defendants€by€our€state€and€federalÐ D!” Ðconstitutions,€the€Act€does€make€it€clear€that,€at€a€minimum,€noticeÐ 0"€  Ðand€a€hearing€are€required.€€It€has€further€been€established€that€aÐ #l! Ðtenure€teacher€is€entitled€to€a€"due€process"€hearing€prior€toÐ $X" Ðdeprivation€of€the€significant€property€interest€which€a€teacher€obtainsÐ ô$D # Ðupon€being€granted€tenure.€€òòò òSee,€e.€g.,€Sullivan€v.€Brownó óóó,€544€F.2dÐ à%0!$ Ð279,€284€(6th€Cir.€1976).ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌòòò òÓÓWilliams€v.€Ô_ÔPittardÔ_Ôóóó ó,€604€S.W.2d€845,€849€(Tenn.€1980).Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÓÓà  àIn€reviewing€the€record€in€this€case,€we€cannot€say€that€Mr.€Sykes€was€denied€due€processÐ |*Ì%) Ðbased€upon€the€manner€in€which€he€was€notified€of€the€charges€against€him.€€The€Board,€onÐ h+¸&* ÐNovember€11,€1997,€advised€Mr.€Sykes€that€it€was€charging€him€with€ð ðunprofessionalÐ ° Ðconduct/conduct€unbecoming€a€member€of€the€teaching€professionðð€and€ð ðcriminal€warrants€filed€onÐ œì ÐOctober€22,€1997,ðð€specifically:€(1)€ð ðcontributing€to€the€delinquency€of€a€minorðð€and€(2)ð ðpossessionÐ ˆØ Ðof€drug€paraphernalia.ðð€€While€counsel€for€Mr.€Sykes€argues€that€these€charges€were€too€vague€toÐ tÄ Ðafford€Mr.€Sykes€an€opportunity€to€adequately€defend€himself€at€the€Board€hearing,€the€recordÐ `° Ðindicates€that€Mr.€Sykes€was€aware€of€the€fact€that€the€charges€related€to€his€housing€C.P.€and€to€theÐ L œ Ðdrug€paraphernalia€found€in€his€home.€€Specifically,€the€record€of€the€Board€hearing€contains€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðfollowing€exchange:Ð $ t ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ€(Mr.€Wheeler):à0h` x` xàAnd€when€these€charges€on€this€School€BoardÐ ü L  Ðcame€down€and€said,€refer€to€contributing€toÐ è 8  Ðthe€delinquency€of€a€minor,€you€knew€that€itÐ Ô$  Ðhad€to€do€with€C.P.,€didnððt€you?ÐÀ hxhx Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€(Mr.€Sykes):à h àYes.Ьü ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àà  àà h àThat€wasnððt€a€surprise?Иè ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àà  àà h àNo.Ð„Ô ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@ÆÆ%ì` x` xà***********ˆÐ pÀ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àà  àà0h` x` xàSo€with€regard€to€contributing€to€theÐ \¬ Ðdelinquency€of€a€minor€and€possession€of€drugÐ H˜ Ðparaphernalia€that€was€written€up€and€referredÐ 4„ Ðto€in€these€charges€in€November,€you€knewÐ  p Ðthat€they€were€the€things€that€have€beenÐ  \ Ðdiscussed€at€length€here€tonight,€didnððt€you?ÐøHhxhx Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àà  àà0h` x` xàYes.Ðä4hxhx ÐÌà  àAs€to€Mr.€Sykesðð€allegation€regarding€the€introduction€of€evidence€regarding€other,€unchargedÐ ¼  Ðmatters,€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€these€matters€were€irrelevant.€€The€Board€should€not€haveÐ ¨ø Ðpermitted€testimony€relating€to€alleged€ð ðimmoral€activitiesðð€between€Mr.€Sykes€and€Ms.€Price,€orÐ ”ä Ðregarding€Ms.€Priceððs€choice€of€profession.€€In€spite€of€this€conclusion,€we€believe€that€theÐ €Ð Ðpresentation€of€any€such€evidence€was€harmless€error,€in€that€the€Board€based€its€decision€toÐ l¼ Ðterminate€Mr.€Sykesðð€employment€upon€the€other,€specified€charges€addressed€above.€€For€theseÐ X ¨ Ðreasons,€we€hold€that€Mr.€Sykes€was€provided€proper€process€notice€and€hearing.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àSince€the€next€three€issues€Mr.€Sykes€presents€on€appeal€all€concern€whether€the€evidenceÐ #l! Ðpresented€at€the€Board€hearing€was€sufficient€to€terminate€Mr.€Sykes,€we€will€address€them€together.€Ð $X" ÐÌà  àThe€Ô_ÔTTAÔ_Ô€provides€that€a€tenured€teacher€may€be€dismissed€from€his€position€forÐ à%0!$ Ðð ðunprofessional€conductðð.€€òòò òSee€óóó óÔ_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€599„5„511€(1996).€€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€59„5„501,€under€the€term,Ð Ì&"% Ðâ âð ðconduct€unbecoming€a€member€of€the€teaching€profession,ððÔ_Ô׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€defines€such€conduct€as:Ð ¸'#& Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€"Conduct€unbecoming€to€a€member€of€the€teaching€profession"Ð ° Ðâ âòòò òmay€consist€of,€but€not€be€limited€toó óóó,€one€(1)€or€more€of€theÐ œì Ðfollowing:ЈØ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(A)€Immorality;Ð`°` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(B)€Conviction€of€a€felony€or€a€crime€involving€moralÐ L œ Ðturpitude;Ð8 ˆ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(C)€Dishonesty,€unreliability,€continued€willful€failure€orÐ $ t Ðrefusal€to€pay€one's€just€and€honest€debts;Ð `` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(D)€Disregard€of€the€code€of€ethics€of€the€TennesseeÐ ü L  ÐEducation€Association€in€such€manner€as€to€make€one€obnoxious€asÐ è 8  Ða€member€of€the€profession;€€orÐÔ$ ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(E)€Improper€use€of€narcotics€or€intoxicants.€.€.ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌòòò òId.€óóó ó(emphasis€added).€€As€we€have€noted€above€in€boldface,€this€list€is€not€exhaustive.€€This€Court,Ð ˜è  Ðin€òòò òÔ_ÔBaltripÔ_Ô€v.€Norrisóóó ó,€explained€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôu]nprofessionalÔ_Ô€conduct"€has€been€defined€as€ð ðconduct€thatÐ „Ô  Ðviolates€the€rules€or€the€ethical€code€of€a€profession€or€that€is€unbecoming€a€member€of€a€professionÐ pÀ Ðin€good€standing,€or€which€indicates€a€teacher's€unfitness€to€teach.ðð€€òòò òóóó ó23€S.W.3d€336,€340€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð \¬ ÐApp.€2000),€òòò ò€perm.€to€appeal€deniedóóó ó€(Tenn.€2000)(quoting€ò òòòMorris€v.€Clarksville„MontgomeryÐ H˜ ÐCounty€Consol.€Bd.€of€Educ.óóó ó,€867€S.W.2d€€324,€329€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993)).Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€trial€court€found€that,€ð ðÔ#†XáXXXáûJ#ÔÔ‡ XáXXXáÔA€significant€question€here€is€whether€or€notÐ  \ Ðthere€is€a€rational€nexus€between€Mr.€Sykesðð€charges,€whether€convicted€or€not,€and€his€ability€toÐ øH Ðteach€and€influence€young€people€in€Smith€County.€€Based€upon€the€record,€the€question€must€beÐ ä4 Ðanswered€in€the€affirmative.Ô#†XáXX Xáe}#ÔÔ‡XáXXXáÔðð€€We€agree€with€the€trial€courtððs€assessment€of€Mr.€Sykesðð€conduct.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àRegarding€the€two€criminal€warrants,€counsel€for€Mr.€Sykes€argues€that,€since€Mr.€Sykes€wasÐ ¨ø Ðnever€convicted€of€any€offense,€evidence€of€these€warrants€was€insufficient€to€merit€a€dismissal€byÐ ”ä Ðthe€Board.€€While€we€agree€that€the€warrants,€and€Mr.€Sykesðð€subsequent€pretrial€diversionÐ €Ð Ðagreements,€do€not€constitute€ð ðconvictionsðð€under€T.C.A.€ðð€49„5„501(a)(3)(B),€we€believe€that€Mr.Ð l¼ ÐSykesðð€actions,€however€well„intentioned,€could€be€considered€ð ðunprofessionalðð€by€the€Board.Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àThe€record€indicates€that€Mr.€Sykes€had,€with€C.P.ððs€motherððs€permission,€taken€care€of€theÐ 0"€  Ðminor€before,€and€that€C.P.€had€a€close,€fatherly€relationship€with€Mr.€Sykes.€€However,€when€C.P.Ð #l! Ðshowed€up€at€his€door€this€time,€Mr.€Sykes€clearly€understood€that€C.P.€was€not€supposed€to€be€there.€Ð $X" ÐÌà  àMr.€Sykes€testified€at€the€Board€hearing€that€C.P.€ð ðnever€told€me€she€was€a€runaway,€but€theÐ à%0!$ Ðassumption€was€there.ðð€€Mr.€Sykes€also€testified€that€the€night€C.P.,€Ms.€Price€and€Mr.€Velosic€wereÐ Ì&"% Ðpicked€up€by€the€police,€he€arrived€home€around€9:00€p.m.€and€no€one€was€there.€€Although€heÐ ¸'#& Ðtestified€that,€when€the€three€still€had€not€returned€around€11:00€p.m.,€he€ð ðstarted€getting€worried,ððÐ ¤(ô#' ÐMr.€Sykes€did€nothing.€€When€he€received€a€call€from€the€sheriffððs€office€informing€him€that€C.P.,Ð )à$( ÐMs.€Price€and€Mr.€Velosic€ð ðhad€been€picked€up€and€were€in€custody,ðð€Mr.€Sykes€ð ðwent€to€sleep.ðð€Ð |*Ì%) ÐIt€was€not€until€sometime€the€next€morning,€when€he€was€handcuffed€and€brought€to€the€CarthageÐ h+¸&* ÐPolice€Station,€that€Mr.€Sykes€found€out€what€had€happened€the€night€before.€€Mr.€Sykes€alsoÐ ° Ðindicated€that€he€felt€that€he€should€have€reported€C.P.ððs€whereabouts€to€the€proper€authorities,€butÐ œì Ðfelt€ð ðcompassionðð€for€her.€€Based€upon€Mr.€Sykesðð€own€testimony€on€the€issue€of€the€contributingÐ ˆØ Ðto€the€delinquency€of€a€minor€charge,€we€believe€there€was€ample,€material€evidence€for€the€BoardÐ tÄ Ðto€find€that€Mr.€Sykesðð€behavior€was€ð ðunprofessional.ððÐ `° ÐÌà  àRegarding€the€drug€paraphernalia€charges,€counsel€for€Mr.€Sykes€argues€that€the€BoardÐ 8 ˆ Ðð ðshifted€the€burden€of€proofðð€to€Mr.€Sykes€at€the€Board€hearing€when€the€Board€ð ðpresumed€as€aÐ $ t Ðmatter€of€lawðð€that€Mr.€Sykes€was€guilty€of€the€charges.€€We€believe€this€argument€is€misplaced.€Mr.Ð  ` ÐSykes€was€found€guilty€of€the€charge€of€unprofessional€conduct.€€The€Board€could€certainly€find€suchÐ ü L  Ðunprofessional€conduct€based€upon€Mr.€Sykesðð€own€admission€that€he€ð ðknew€of€drug€paraphernaliaÐ è 8  Ðin€[his]€house.ðð€€The€Board€presented€testimony€at€the€hearing€regarding€the€Smith€County€SchoolsððÐ Ô$  Ðcommitment€to€discouraging€students€from€using€drugs€and€alcohol,€and€it€is€reasonable€to€infer€thatÐ À  Ða€teacher€whose€home€is€found€to€contain€many€drug„related€items,€and€who€has€knowledge€of€hisÐ ¬ü  Ðroommatesðð€drug€abuse,€but€allows€those€roommates€to€remain€in€his€home,€may€be€considered€unfitÐ ˜è  Ðto€teach.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€affirm€the€order€of€the€trial€court€upholding€the€decision€of€theÐ \¬ ÐSmith€County€Board€of€Education€to€terminate€Mr.€Sykesðð€employment.€€This€case€is€remanded€toÐ H˜ Ðthe€trial€court€for€any€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€areÐ 4„ Ðassessed€to€the€Appellant,€Ronnie€Sykes,€and€his€sureties.Ð  p ÐÔ#†XáXXXáò~#ÔÔ#†¼VÕ»XXáì #ÔÔ€XáX»¼VÕÔÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à__________________________________________Ð ¼  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.