HOLLAND TWP., MI (WHTC) – His case hasn’t gone to trial yet, but a West Ottawa High School teacher and coach facing sexual misconduct charges has been fired from his job. After a 50-minute closed door session, the West Ottawa school board Monday voted unanimously to fire Matthew Powell, a special education teacher and wrestling coach, under the state’s teacher tenure law. Powell is facing a fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge on allegations he inappropriately touched a 16-year-old female student earlier this year.
“I believe the board’s vote was in the interest of student safety, and they acted with integrity in the process,” West Ottawa assistant superintendent Greg Warsen said.
Powell has 20 days to challenge the board’s action to the state Tenure Commission. An administrative law judge may be called in to issue a ruling on any appeals. Powell’s case was bound over to the Ottawa County Circuit Court last week. He is free on bond. No trial date has been scheduled.
-Greg Chandler
