MADISON TOWNSHIP — The Madison Local Schools board of education voted on Wednesday to suspend a middle school science teacher and consider her termination in light of alleged improper behavior towards students.
Abby Radabaugh, an 8th grade science teacher at Madison Middle School, was suspended without pay or other fringe benefits “during the pendency of termination proceedings,” according to a resolution passed by the board.
The suspension took effect Thursday. In an email to Richland Source on Wednesday, Radabaugh said the allegations were “unsubstantiated.”
The resolution stated the board “believes that the conduct of Abby Radabaugh constitutes grounds for termination” and that “the character of the charges against her” warrants her suspension prior to termination.
Radabaugh will have 10 days from the date she receives notice of the vote to request a hearing before the Madison Board of Education or a hearing officer from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, according to Madison Supt. Rob Peterson.
While the board voted to suspend Radabaugh without pay on Wednesday, she hasn’t taught since Jan. 23.
Radabaugh had previously been relieved of her duties with “pay pending the outcome of an investigation,” according to her a letter in her personnel file, obtained by Richland Source through a public records request.
The Jan. 23 letter also barred Radabaugh from being present on school grounds or attending school functions without prior written permission and prohibited her from communicating with students, parents or teachers regarding her employment.
In a pre-disciplinary meeting notice dated Jan. 29, Peterson informed Radabaugh he was considering disciplinary action, “up to and including termination.”
Allegations against Radabaugh focus on inappropriate behavior towards female students
Peterson referenced several allegations against Radabaugh in the Jan. 29 letter, including allegations she had made sexually inappropriate comments to female students and smacked two female students on their bottoms “during this school year.”
One allegation asserts that around November, Radabaugh made an inappropriate comment to three female students who were in her classroom during lunch. She allegedly described her husband’s genitalia the comment.
Another is that, sometime during this school year, she asked a female student, “What brand of leggings are those? They don’t have a camel toe.”
A third charge alleges Radabaugh showed one or more female students an online order for Victoria Secret underwear, projected on her classroom screen.
Radabaugh was given the opportunity to appear before Peterson and make her case during a disciplinary hearing on Feb. 4, according to the board resolution approved Wednesday.
Radabaugh said she would not resign, called student allegations ‘unsubstantiated’
In her email to Richland Source, Radabaugh said she would not resign.
“I accept the termination process and will proceed with hearings for the unsubstantiated student allegations,” Radabaugh wrote.
“I wish all my past students and colleagues the best in their future endeavors and that all remember me for who I was, and am, as a person and an educator, in and outside of the classroom.”
Radabaugh has worked at Madison Local Schools since 2021, according to her personnel file. She began as a long-term substitute teacher and worked as a middle school English language arts teacher for two years.
She was reassigned to a science teaching position in the fall of 2024 after the district went through a reduction in force.
Radabaugh was approved for a three-year contract with the district in 2024, according to her personnel file.