MADISON TOWNSHIP — The Madison Local Schools board of education voted Wednesday to terminate the contract of a teacher accused of improper behavior towards students.
Abby Radabaugh, an 8th grade science teacher, was suspended without pay or other fringe benefits in February.
Radabaugh’s termination came after she made sexually inappropriate comments to students on at least two occasions, according to the resolution that made her termination official.
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 in 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.”
Other allegations that were previously included in Radabaugh’s personnel file were not included in the board’s resolution to fire her.
Radabaugh previously told Richland Source that she would not resign and that student allegations against her were unsubstantiated. She did not respond to a more recent request for comment this week.
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.
Investigation into Radabaugh began in January
Radabaugh hasn’t taught at Madison Middle School since Jan. 23.
On that day, she was relieved of her duties with “pay pending the outcome of an investigation,” according to a letter in her personnel file, obtained by Richland Source through a public records request.
The letter also barred Radabaugh from being present on school grounds or attending school functions without prior written permission. It also prohibited her from communicating with students, parents or teachers regarding her employment.
A follow-up letter from Supt. Rob Peterson stated that he was considering disciplinary action against Radabaugh “up to and including termination” on Jan. 29.
Ohio law outlines the process public schools must follow to terminate a teachers’ contract. The law states teachers can only be fired for “good and just cause.”
Before a teacher can be fired, the district must provide that teacher with a letter informing them that they are being considered for termination and the reason. After that, a teacher has 10 days to demand a hearing before the school board or a referee.
If a teacher requests a hearing the district cannot fire that teacher until after a hearing has taken place.
Radabaugh requested a hearing, which took place on April 29, according to a resolution approved by the board.
The referee who oversaw the hearing, Lee T. Skidmore, recommended Radabaugh’s termination on June 5, the resolution stated.
Ohio outlines process for firing a public school teacher
Before a teacher can be fired, the district must provide that teacher with a letter informing them that they are being considered for termination and the reason why. After that, a teacher has ten days to demand a hearing before the school board or a referee.
If a teacher demands a hearing, the board must set a hearing day and time within 30 days of the request. The hearing is private unless the teacher requests it be public.
After a hearing by a referee, the referee is required to file a report within ten days of the hearing. A school board either accept or reject the referee’s recommendation.
Any teacher affected by a termination order may appeal the decision in their county’s court of common pleas within thirty days.
For more information, see Section 3319.16 of the Ohio Revised Code.
