Springfield, MASSACHUSETTS

The second Springfield teacher arrested in a week.


ARRESTED: Mar 22, 2007 - James Houlihan, 43, a teacher at Samuel Bowles Elementary School, was arrested on two counts of indecent assault and battery on a female child under 14.

A school system official said that the case involves allegations related to one student in the school system. She stressed that school officials have not reached any conclusion. "We have an allegation at this point. That's what we are investigating" she said.

But citing school confidentiality rules, she said she could not reveal the age, gender or school attended by the student, or say how soon the investigation will be concluded.

Houlihan was suspended with pay after school officials began investigating.

2ND TEACHER ARRESTED: Mar 23 - Houlihan became the second Springfield teacher arrested on criminal charges in less than a week, according to the The Republican.

Elliott W. Best, 32, of 170 Central St., was arrested on March 16 at a Main Street club and charged with assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a firearm while intoxicated after threatening people with a gun, police reported.

Best is a teacher at the High School of Science and Technology and a coach on the school's Cybercats football team.

GUILTY: August 29 - A jury found James Houlihan guilty of indecent assault and battery on a student under 14. He was acquitted on two other counts of indecent assault and battery.

He's been on paid leave of absence since January 5. His bail was revoked and he is being held until sentencing on September 6.

August 31 - He "faces firing" after his conviction. He has been moved to unpaid unpaid status.

Houlihan may appeal the School Department's decision to dismiss him, "if there is any further information that he would like to present," [Allen N.] Menkel [Senior administrator for employee and labor relations] said.
If Houlihan files an appeal, an administrative hearing will be held.
Menkel said he was unsure what impact the conviction could have on Houlihan's ability to collect a pension in the future, a decision that may fall to the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System.

He called it an isolated incident.

TT - If you bloody can't well fire someone for a felony conviction, then who can you fire?

SENTENCED: September 6 - Houlihan was sentenced to two years in prison. It was the maximum sentence allowable.

Sept 13 - The school district plans to fire Houlihan. He has been on paid leave since Jan 5.