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IPS Supt. Ferebee goes on record in closed-door meeting about Shana Taylor case

Posted at 12:11 AM, Jun 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-25 00:11:51-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- In a closed-door meeting this week, IPS Superintendent Dr. Lewis Ferebee admitted to knowing a lot more about the Shana Taylor case than has been previously reported.

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The meeting, held Thursday night, revolved around assistant principal William Jensen, who worked at IPS' Longfellow Alternative School. But only one witness was called: Ferebee.

Ferebee was asked to weigh in on why he thinks Jensen should be fired for not contacting CPS when then-counselor Taylor was accused of having sex with two students.

Jensen's attorneys argue their client contacted Tina Hester in human resources, per IPS policy.

"He said, 'Tina Hester told me not to get the police involved.' Didn't she? You know that," attorney Kevin Betz asked Ferebee.

"Yea, I don't know that to be a fact," Ferebee replied.

"So you would be surprised to learn that Ms. Hester said, 'I ask that the school police stay out of it so that she is not charged and can handle from an HR perspective, but I don't know if the mom plans to file charges?' You have never seen that email?" Betz asked.

Ferebee said he knew nothing of the email exchange.

"Your duty is to ask questions, fundamental ones, right?" Betz continued. "Like what kind of relationship was going on. I need to know, and I want it reported immediately, right?"

Ferebee said yes, "I asked, when are we interviewing the employee in question, and she provided the time."

Despite Ferebee being the subject of questioning during the meeting, it's Jensen whose job is on the chopping block. The IPS Board will make that decision on June 30.