Board Wants Member Expelled

Thomas took a seat on the school board six months ago, after being supported by most Democratic politicians for the countywide seat.

The report details three episodes in which Thomas's conduct was questioned. The first involved the comments at Forestville Academy. Although the principal strongly counseled Thomas, no further disciplinary action was taken and neither incident was documented in his personnel file, according to the report. Thomas resigned his position Dec. 23, 2004, said John White, a spokesman for the county school system. The reason given was Thomas's intention to pursue government service, White said. Lyles did not return a phone call requesting comment.

The report said Thomas taught the 18-year-old in U.S. government class, while the boy was a freshman. After resigning his position, Thomas did not meet the student again until last December, the report said, and the investigation revealed no evidence of improper conduct between them while Thomas was a teacher.

Meeting again through the student board member, who already had a close relationship with Thomas, the three began spending time together at restaurants and Thomas's home in February, according to the report. According to the report, the 18-year-old said he became intoxicated several times when Thomas served him alcohol at his home. The report said the student claimed that Thomas would play games of "truth or dare" in which he would dare the two students to take their shirts off or, in one instance, suck their toes. The students said they refused the dares.

The report said Thomas admitted to playing such games but denied the dares described by the student and denied serving them alcohol.

"I really see myself as like their big brother," the report said Thomas told investigators. "I am only eight years older than them." Of the 18-year-old student, he said, "he needs a lot of mentoring. He does not have a lot of direction," according to the report.

The report detailed Thomas's trip to the National School Boards Association conference in San Francisco. According to the report, Thomas made arrangements to travel separately and stay in a different hotel than other school board members. The report said the 18-year-old did not have permission from his father to take the trip.

Both Thomas and the student told investigators there was never any physical contact between them, the report said.

The investigation also revealed Thomas's alleged relationship with the Forestville Academy student. Evidence from the board's investigation was turned over to police, who issued a warrant for Thomas's arrest Friday.