Hernando band director faces suspension on sex charges

BROOKSVILLE -- Hernando Schools officials missed at least one flag that might have tipped them off to potential wrongdoing by a teacher who was arrested last week on sex charges.

Superintendent Wayne Alexander said he "didn't know of any previous complaints" regarding Nature Coast Technical High band director Tim Brightbill, who remained in jail Monday on two charges of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

But Brightbill was reprimanded little more than a year ago by his principal for posting inappropriate photos on his MySpace account.

"As we discussed in our conference, you are to deconstruct your MySpace account as soon as possible," wrote principal Margaret "Tizzy" Schoelles in a 2007 note to the teacher.

"Specifically, I am asking that you remove the pictures we spoke about and consider removing Nature Coast Technical High School students from your friends list."

She said he could be fired for keeping the photos up or engaging in similar conduct again.

Brightbill's MySpace page was set to private this week, open only to his personal contacts.

But his Facebook page featured the teacher posing shirtless after a sports event.

Brightbill, 42, was found lying on a 17-year-old girl around 2:30 p.m. Dec. 31 when the girl's mother arrived home early. Both were wearing only underwear. He confessed to performing sex acts on her that day, and also in November, according to the police report.

He was arrested and taken to the Hernando County Jail, where he remained behind bars Monday in lieu of $20,000 bail. School officials were planning to suspend him with pay, the first step in an internal process that could lead to suspension without pay or termination.

For updates, check Tampabay.com or read tomorrow's story in the Hernando edition of the St. Petersburg Times.

Tom Marshall, Times staff writer

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Comments

[ohmygoditsthatguy]

wow suspended with pay. same as a paid vacation. Good reward for sex crime. only in florida !

[Punkin]

What a shame. My kids had him when he taught as Southside Fundamental. I can't understand WHY would he be suspended WITH pay if he has confessed, this makes NO SENSE. Sorry, but fire him.. end of story.. he confessed. What a fool, I feel bad for his wife & child.

[hater]

suspended with pay because he is innocent until proven guilty. We have a legal system and it should run its course. The articles and the blogs make you believe he did the "alleged" incident. Let the man have his day in court.

[Chris]

Bring back public hangings PLEASE!

[Howcouldthisbe]

Let me first say this is bad all the way around. This happened on Dec 31 not Jan as stated in the above article. He needs to get help for his issues and the girl also needs help dealing with this. You would have needed to be blind not to see this coming and yes I know both parties involved. Your terrible choices have ruined lives and crushed others around you. My heart goes out to his wife and daughter, and the Music students that had him as a teacher, he truely was a asset to the school. I hope the girls family can get threw this as well. We all need to be mindful of the things our children do and who there with, even if it feels like we are prying. I know I'd rather pry than have this mess appear at my doorstep. To the students in the Nature Coast Band, don't let this bring you down to much you guys had a great year and have come a very long way keep up the great work.

[Gilbert Ford]

The really sad part about these incidents is the Legislature will not make it mandatory for a "15 year minimum" with no Parole, Diversion or other cushy sentences. Take this discretion AWAY from some of these lenient Judges.

Facing stiff sentences, would act as a deterrent for these Pedophiles.

The teacher's Union, that goes to bat for these individuals, should take a long hard look at thier bylaws on this type of behavior. Better yet, the teachers should be policing thier peers and turn thier backsides in for this dispicable act.

Parents: Please do not stand up in court and proclaim how your childs "innocence" has been stolen when you know they have dirty hands themselves, but you do not want to admit it!

If something is not done soon some parents may well be compelled to act themselves.

[areujoking?]

1.he is guilty & even admitted to dthe crime
-he should be suspended without pay!!
2. i think his teaching license should be taken away being that he didn't follow the principals orders and had innapropriate pictures online that he was friends with students on.
-not only was he dumb enough to make tihs mistake once, but at least twice!

I would not want him near my friends.
But i also think that it is the girls fault, shes old enough to know right from wrong.

[JOHN NELSON]

TO THINK OUR SCHOOL BOARD WAS ELECTED TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN NOT CRIMINAL TEACHERS. WHAT NEXT MAKE HIM TEACHER OF THE YEAR

[Opinion Master]

wonder if he'll get the same judge that let off the female teacher with what, probation I think, after having relations with a 15 year old boy.
maybe his judge will feel like HE was the victim, just like the poor OLDER female teacher was a few months back.