SUSD logo Scottsdale Unified School District

No Dream Too Big . . . No Challenge Too Great
Education Center
3811 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
Telephone: 480-484-6100
FAX: 480-484-6286
Web site: www.susd.org

For Release:   January 28, 2003
Contact: Carol Hughes, 480-484-6188
NEWS and INFORMATION

Administration recommends termination of two teachers

The District administration today asked the Governing Board to adopt separate statements of charges to terminate two teachers: Todd Miller, a teacher at Desert Mountain High School, and David Renaud, a teacher at Cherokee Elementary School.

Mr. Miller brought a loaded weapon and drug paraphernalia, among other things, onto school property in violation of state law and District policies. He was arrested and charged with various violations of state law, and later released. At the time he came to campus with these items, Mr. Miller was on administrative leave pending an investigation of him on unrelated matters. The District also took immediate action to obtain an injunction against him prohibiting his presence on any school property or any harassing behavior of employees or students.

Mr. Renaud has been arrested and charged with child molestation, aggravated assault, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor, and kidnapping in connection with various students and other minors. According to police records, he has admitted to certain conduct. The District is currently investigating all circumstances related in any way to Mr. Renaud's conduct.

"The District has moved for termination of both these individuals because of the clear danger they present to students and employees," said Kim Cumby, executive director of Human Resource Services. "The District will not hesitate to take this type of forceful action against any employee as soon as the District is made aware of conduct that warrants discharge. These are precisely such instances."

The Legislature has by statute required that teachers receive certain due process rights upon dismissal. The District is obligated to and therefore will follow those statutory requirements. To the extent on these factual records that either teacher appeals their termination, the District will aggressively pursue their terminations while at the same time affording them their due process rights as required by law.
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