Where Beebe School Superintendent Zeb Prothro Failed….And What The School Board Should Do.
Sep 27, 2025
If you are not aware of the absurdity going on at the Beebe School District involving the alleged Sexual Harassment of a 10-year-old girl by teacher Johnny Belew then check out KATV’s Daniela Dehaghani’s coverage on it….She has done a hell of a job on it.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16j2oYxiiP/
If Prothro had taken the right steps when he was made aware of the inappropriate contact by Belew then people would be praising his actions instead of saying What Tha Hell Are You Doing !
Once he was made aware he should have immediately placed Belew on paid Administrative Leave with pay pending outcome of a Title IX Sexual Harassment investigation that he himself should have initiated under Policy 3.26 Sexual Harassment.
After that investigation was complete he should have then contacted the District’s attorney, Cody Kees partner at Bequette Billingsley & Kees, and asked if he would be on solid ground recommending to the Board that Belew be terminated for violating Policy 3.17.1 Code of Conduct and Policy 3.26 Sexual Harassment for unwanted touching….I feel certain Cody would have given him the thumbs up.
At that point he should have issued Belew notice of his intent to recommend to the Board that he be terminated at the next Board meeting.
Belew would then have had the option to appeal the recommendation to the Board through a Hearing process.
Had Cody not given the thumbs up Prothro could have then Suspended Belew without pay for the remainder of the school year and then not put his contract up for non-renewal…..There is no appeal process for Suspensions or non-renewals.
Prothro then should have personally filed an ethics complaint against Belew with the State Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) for violation of Standard 1 & 2 of the Code of Ethics form Arkansas Educators.
That would have taken care of Belew but there is also the matter of holding the Middle School Principal Paula Courson accountable for her actions as well.
After the little girl’s father, Rocky Geldien, made the initial complaint to Courson she told him there was not video of the incident which later proved to be a lie.
Prothro should have suspended Courson for a minimum of 5 days for her dishonesty along with filing an ethics complaint against her with the PLSB for violation of Standard 2.
Does Prothro himself need to be held accountable ?….No Reason not to.
The Board should review how he mis-handled the incident and then Suspend him without pay for a minimum of 5 days.
That would send a clear message to the District’s staff on the Boards expectations for professional performance.
It would also send a message to the District’s patrons that the Board will not tolerate mishandling of inappropriate contact with students.
Now will the Board step up and do their duty ?….That question will be answered at the next Board meeting.
Professional Bully Fighter I investigate and report on issues around the State of Arkansas with an emphasis on Government. I am strong conservative however I bring Truth and Facts regardless of Party affiliation….My hashtag is #FactsNotFiction
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