School Board Member Charged with Assault Over "God, You're Hot" Comment to Student
Keith Ervin, a Washington County School Board member in Tennessee, was charged with assault on May 7, 2025, following an incident during a public meeting that left a female student board member feeling "unwelcome, sexist, and derogatory."
The Incident
The charge stems from an encounter on April 2, 2025. According to reports, Ervin put his arm around a female student board member and said, "God, you're hot." The comment came shortly after the student had asked questions about career and technical education during the public meeting.
The Student's Response
At a subsequent board meeting on May 7, the student addressed the board directly. She characterized Ervin's actions as "unwelcome, sexist, and derogatory," noting that he had not behaved similarly toward male board members.
Ervin's Apology and Defense
Ervin issued a public apology on April 8. In his statement, he claimed that his use of the word "hot" was not a comment on her appearance, but rather an inarticulate way of saying she "was on a roll" with her questions.
Board Action
The board voted to censure Ervin over the incident. In a statement, the board deferred further action to law enforcement, emphasizing that board members are independently elected and cannot be removed by the board itself.
Legal Proceedings
Court records confirm that Ervin was charged with assault (physical contact). As of the latest reports, no lawyer has been listed for him, and he did not respond to a request for comment.
His first court appearance is scheduled for August 2025.