To the Editor:

Mr. Dave Chesney, as a member of the Claiborne County School Board, was disturbed to discover the lack of a background check for a school employee, Mr. Darrell Johnson. He believed that both the Claiborne County School Board policy and state law require background checks to be performed and placed in files for school employees. One of his most important duties as a school board member is to ensure the safety of all children attending Claiborne County Schools.

As to the allegations, we will be answering the complaint shortly and will provide more specific answers at that time. I will note that Mr. Johnson’s allegations stem from a school board meeting, and all school board meetings are recorded and the recordings are stored. However, the recording of the school board meeting on or about March 11, 2010, has mysteriously disappeared along with Mr. Johnson’s background check.

Further, the statement attributed to Mr. Johnson’s attorney in the Knoxville News Sentinel article is incorrect as Mr. Johnson has had numerous brushes with the law in the last several years. This is important information for school board members to have, and it was missing from Mr. Johnson’s file.

The facts will reveal at trial that Mr. Chesney has not made any defamatory comments about Mr. Johnson. Mr. Chesney’s primary concern is and has always been acting to ensure the welfare, safety, and education of all children attending Claiborne County Schools. The facts that will emerge from this case will reveal nothing less.

Sincerely,

Matthew W. Sexton, Attorney for Mr. Dave Chesney

Morristown, Tenn.