Steve White, a political candidate and eighth grade teacher, was dismissed from his position late Tuesday night after an investigation found he showed videos with sex acts, nudity and other obscene images to students.

“I think the evidence was clear,” said Dr. Barry Carroll, superintendent of Limestone County Schools, who recommended the Board of Education cancel White’s contract following the hearing.

During a two-week-long investigation in April, Carroll said pornographic material was found in White’s computer and administrators determined that White was showing videos rather than teaching science in his class at West Limestone High School.

White was placed on paid administrative leave April 7. Some of the students who were interviewed following the allegations on April 10 testified during Tuesday night’s hearing.

Although attendees did not hear the evidence against White, who requested the hearing remain private, Carroll gave The News Courier a list of findings of the investigation, which included showing video clips of sexual activity and “a computer image of a girl exposing her breast.”

White, who sat at a table beside his attorney, Bill Dawson of Birmingham, during a three-hour long hearing and 90-minute deliberation, did not comment on the board’s vote. Only board member Roger Whitt voted against the superintendent’s recommendation. Members of White’s family who attended also had no comment.

When asked for comment, White pointed to Dawson, who said the decision will be appealed.

“We will do that promptly,” he said. “We’re disappointed (with this outcome). We expect to prevail when we have a full and complete hearing.” Dawson said Tuesday’s board hearing was “a rather abbreviated procedure.” Arbitration will likely not be set for about a month, he said.

Error in judgment?

Emmitt Jimmar, Alabama Education Association representative for Limestone County, sat with White and his attorney. Jimmar told members of the press after the vote that the school board was responsible for protecting its teachers and for filtering the material that comes into schools.

Some parents said material White showed students came to his computer via e-mail and then was shown to students. Jimmar said White was not responsible for what “popped up” on his computer and he should not have been fired for an “error in judgment.”

“We think this is most unfair for this particular offense,” he said.

A group of parents who stayed at the school board chambers until 11 p.m. awaiting the outcome, however, felt the outcome was not only just, but mandatory.