Robert Dean had been a music teacher at Chestnut Mountain Elementary for about 18 months.
School system spokesman Gordon Higgins said Thursday the matter will now be forwarded to the Professional Standards Commission.
"They will do their own investigation and make whatever recommendation they want to regarding his (teaching) certification," Higgins said.
Higgins added Dean resigned Tuesday, one day after meeting with school superintendent Dennis Fordham. "(Dr. Fordham) told him at that time that he did not know exactly what his future would be with Hall County schools...but that he would not be going back into the classroom until the charges (had been resolved)."
A spokesman for the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Lt. Jeff Strickland, said Thursday Dean was arrested by an undcover officer on charges of solicitation for sodomy and sexual battery. Lt. Strikland said undercover operations such as the one that nabbed Dean are conducted routinely in parks in the county in an effort to discourage sexual activity in public places such as parks.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/3/161631