TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) — Calvin Ellis was loved, admired and devoted to Tupelo High School show choirs.
Those are the words of THS parent Lynne Johnson.
She is among a hand full of parents called to testify in the personnel hearing if former Director of Choral Activities Calvin Ellis.
Johnson recalls the day she first read some 23 charges against Ellis.
She testifies she was among the parents present during a choral competition in Petal, MS.
Ellis is accused of allowing students to trash a room during that competition.
Johnson says students did not trash a room and she feels personally insulted such an accusation is being made.
She goes on to say male and female students did not change in the same room at that competition.
Johnson says it is possible a couple male students were seen in their boxer shorts but all attempts were made to keep them separate.
Johnson says the setup was not ideal, but there were plenty parents there to monitor the situation.
When questioned about two pranking incidents involving female and male choral students, Johnson says pranks are not meant to be harmful.
Johnson says when you tell teenage boys not to do something they are going to do it.
Testimony also includes THS Asst. Choral Director Debra Bullock.
Bullock says she had a good working relationship with him and would like to see him restored to his former job.
The hearing officer adjourned the proceedings until February 13th.
