Gehring resigns as Bradford Alderman-Elect
Gehring resigns as Bradford Alderman-elect
By Logan Watson
Kyle Gehring, the former Bradford High School Ag teacher and FFA advisor accused of grooming at least two minor students under his supervision, resigned from the Bradford City Board last Wednesday after winning an uncontested election for Alderman.
In September, Gehring was accused of sending multiple inappropriate text messages to several of his underage female students, some of which were made public the night before Election Day by Rachele Gibson, the mother of one of the students.
While the messages were not explicitly sexual or criminal, Gehring told the students that he cared about them “more than skin deep” and wanted to “grow” with them “one step at a time” because he loved them and wanted them to “be with him.” Gehring also asked one of the students if they felt unsafe being alone with him and told them that if they started going to parties, he would set their “freakin house on fire.”
In other messages not made public, Gehring reportedly told a student that he would commit suicide if they quit the FFA program.
Gibson attempted to organize a write-in campaign on Election Day to prevent Gehring from winning the uncontested seat on the Board, generating 68 write-in votes on Election Day for various candidates both real and fictional, but Gehring had already garnered 98 votes during the Early Voting period creating an insurmountable lead.
The Bradford City Board held a special called meeting on Thursday night to declare a vacancy for the position. Mayor Dwayne Reynolds read Gehring’s resignation letter to the Board, which stated that he and his wife would be leaving Bradford to be closer to their family. Their Facebook profiles currently state that they live in South Fulton, Tennessee.
Bradford residents that wish to be considered for the Alderman position should deliver a letter stating their interest in the position, as well as their name, address and phone number, to City Hall. Interested parties must live within the Bradford City Limits. A decision will be made at the Board’s next meeting, scheduled for Monday, December 2, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Editor’s Note: 28th Judicial District Attorney General Frederick Agee stated that his office is still reviewing the allegations for a possible criminal prosecution. DAG Agee added that, had Gehring not resigned from the Bradford City Board, his office would have pursued an ouster lawsuit.
Gibson, who is the 28th Judicial District Public Defender, and others alleged that the BHS administration and the Bradford Special School District had received prior complaints regarding Gehring’s messages to students, but took no action until his suspension in late September and ultimately allowed Gehring to resign rather than terminate his employment, despite having cause. Gibson also stated that, following Gehring’s suspension and resignation, the BSSD failed to report the matter to the Tennessee Board of Education.
