This has been a bad couple of months for science teachers.
James Buss and Jeff Scheidemantel, both high school chemistry teachers, have had their problems.
Unlike Scheidemantel, the teacher accused of making meth in the school lab, Buss wasn't involved in drugs. He wasn't even charged for making what fellow teachers considered to be an online threat. But like Scheidemantel, he has had issues and a brush with the law.
Add another name to the list of science teachers behaving badly: Kevin Ball.
From TMJ4:
A teacher with Milwaukee Public Schools has been busted for running a drug house.
The suspect is a science teacher at Custer High School.
...Students at Custer High describe Kevin Ball as a good and dedicated teacher who truly seems to care about them. News that Ball was arrested for allegedly dealing drugs out of his house came as a huge surprise and disappointment.
“I believe that it’s not right, I mean, he's supposed to be an example for his students and why would he do that. He always tells other people about selling drugs saying that’s not right,” Custer student Carissa Burnett said.
Milwaukee police say they found cocaine, marijuana, scales and two guns inside his home.
Apparently, Ball is a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of teacher.
It's possible that Ball knows the difference between right and wrong, but he may have addictions that he needs to feed.
TODAY’S TMJ4 tried to get a comment from him, but he didn't answer the door. Ball doesn't have any felonies, but court records show he was convicted of misdemeanor prostitution 15 years ago.
So a misdemeanor prostitution conviction isn't a disqualifier to be an MPS teacher.
OK.
What's striking about Ball is that he's an educated man with a good job.
He's not running a drug house because he has no skills and no hope of being a functioning member of society. He's not a victim of poverty, helpless and despairing.
Whatever reason Ball ALLEGEDLY turned to crime, it can't be because he believed a bright future was out of his reach. He has a college education and is employed.
Milwaukee Public Schools face an uphill battle keeping students from becoming involved in drugs and making bad choices. The teachers should be serving as role models for the kids, especially those living in poor home environments and crime-infested conditions.
Ball, however, may have been involved, directly or indirectly, in his students' corruption.
Really sick. Really sad.
_____________
UPDATE: Split decision for ex-teacher in drug trial
A jury found a former Custer High School science teacher guilty of a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana but acquitted him of the more serious charge of maintaining a drug house, a felony.
Kevin Ball, 44, was suspended after his arrest in December 2007, according to his lawyer, Gary Rosenthal, who said Ball is no longer employed by Milwaukee Public Schools.
Police searched Ball's home in the 3500 block of N. 48th St. Ball acknowledged that marijuana found in his home belonged to him but denied that cocaine, the MPS scale and a bullet-resistant vest found in the basement of the home were his.
Another felony charge of possessing more than 40 grams of cocaine with intent to deliver while armed was dismissed before this week's trial.
13 comments:
i go to custer he was my teacher last year
It seems like his days of teaching science are over.
He was my teacher last year. I don't go there anymore, but let's get to the point. Mr. Ball was those kind of teachers who knew nore than the subject he was teaching. He could've passed for almost teaching any subject, I think. He was a real cool dude. You never know what can go on with their personal lives outside of the schools. I still have the same feelings toward him as I did when I went there. I hope h learns from this though.
It's really sad that your teacher may such poor choices.
It sounds like he was a positive influence in his students' lives and he was really making a contribution.
Who knows? His arrest may be one of the most important lessons he has ever taught his students.
I know for a fact Mr. Ball was not liked by students. He had gotten into physical altercations with some students and has belittled others. He carried himself in a very professional matter, but this teaches you that you can't judge a book by it's cover. I assume he is innocent until proven guilty, but if his guilt is proven then he deserves the 40 years. It is disgusting to me that a teacher would be involved in dealing.
I feel that Mr Ball is already tried and convicted by some of you. Our legal system says that a person is innocent until proven guilty. I know Mr. Ball through some family members. I don't believe he is guilty. Mr. Ball is one of the most respected male figures in his family. It is always the people like some of you that refuse to allow the legal system to do its job. What if the shoe was on your feet and it was one of your family members that was possibly falsely accused or guilty by association or trying to help someone out? Without a doubt, you would try to get everyone to plead their case or beg the court for mercy. What do you think this family is feeling right now? As the bible states, Let he without sin cast the first stone.
You're right. Under our system, Ball is innocent until proven guilty.
I'm sure the family is going through a terrible time.
Ball will have his day in court, and hopefully justice will be done.
whatever everyone
i dont care what anyone says
i had mr ball as my science teacher and he was hated.
sorry for my language but he was a piece of shit no matter if he has a masters degree or not.
he would often stand in front of the door and taunt students to try to "get through him" and this and that. constantly having a slick mouth and yes getting into altercations with students. he would often ask students to leave and say hey if you want to skip go ahead.
a real role model my ass.
i hope he goes to prison for many years. how can any of you have pitty on someone caught with all this cocaine, scales, weed and everything else? hes obviously lost his ways and needs to get charge like the rest of the real world. he should be banned from teaching.
oh and i was in his class when he taught at solomon juneau buisness high school
heres some more info
i did not know they found a bullet proof vest and SKS semi auto assault rifle.
did i mention hes on PAID SUSPENSTION during the WHOLE duration of this trial?
if you are keeping up with the trial he keeps putting it off.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm i wonder why/>
maybe because we are paying for this damn criminal every day while he sits on his ass. we wonder why we have so many tax problems in this state when we sit here and pay teachers while they are on trial facing FELONY CHARGES AND PRISON TIME?!?!
It is outrageous that taxpayers are supporting a potential felon for all these months.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during this time of turmoil. I will pray for you and those who did not. God has delivered me from the hands of the evil ones. (Bad Cops. I was never guilty of the crimes I was charged with and a jury of my peers agreed in less than twenty minutes. I give all praise to God and Jesus Christ. Order has been restored to my life through them. Take my advise and stay in school and away from evil people. If wasn't for my faith in God, the love of my family and education the system would have swallowed me up.
Don't you think it is about time to correct or remove this post.
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