EWMS teacher out on bond
Published 10:04 pm Monday, February 20, 2006
By By Janet Little Cooper
Ernest Ward Middle School physical education teacher, Terrance Braxton, turned himself in at the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola, Fla. on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006.
Braxton, 28, of Atmore, was charged with six counts of bribery for allegedly charging students a dollar for not dressing out and participating in the physical education activity.
"Mr. Braxton was allegedly charging students at Ernest Ward Middle School a dollar for each time they did not want to dress out for his physical education class," Sgt. Mike Ward of the Escambia County Fla. Sheriffs Office said. "In return, the students received full credit, or 100 percent for participation on that day."
According to Sheriffs reports, Braxton allegedly collected approximately $230 from several students. Sgt. Ward said that Braxton might face more counts with as many as 30 students involved.
Braxton was in his second year at Ernest Ward. Last year he was the boy's P.E. teacher, but was assigned to teach both boys and girls P.E. due to a cut in teachers. He was also the head coach for the boy's basketball team.
The teacher resigned from his position at Ernest Ward on Jan. 13 prior to being terminated by the School district for the allegations of bribery.
Following his resignation, Braxton began working as a substitute teacher in the Escambia County Alabama School District. After reading the article about Braxton in the Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006 edition of The Atmore Advance, Superintendent Buck Powell removed Braxton from the list of qualified substitutes.
Braxton was released Thursday on a Pre-Trial release bond shortly after turning himself in.