CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Tensions ran high at the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board meeting Tuesday, the first since it became public that a Montgomery Central High School teacher showed nude photos of himself to a 17-year-old student.

The incident involves science teacher Matthew Gay Vedder, 52, who admitted to investigators that he showed the student photos but said it was an accident, according to previous reports. Vedder is married to Director of Schools Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder. The District Attorney’s Office requested that the case be handled by an outside judicial district.

Tense atmosphere in room

Several audience members held signs toward the board, and some booed when Dr. Luna-Vedder and Rep. Aron Maberry spoke.

Before public comment began, Board Chairman Chris Lanier reminded attendees of district policy prohibiting discussion of specific employees or students during open meetings while disciplinary processes are ongoing.

CMCSS has said it is holding off on its investigation, and any potential disciplinary action, until the criminal investigation is complete.

| PREVIOUSLY: Montgomery Central teacher investigated for showing nude photos of himself to 17-year-old

Concerns about priorities

Megan Wise, wearing a “Public School Strong” shirt, spoke first during public comment. She referenced a recent Tennessee bill on preferred honorifics (such as Mr. and Mrs.) in schools. According to WKRN, this legislation would make it optional for students and staff to use an educator’s preferred honorific and was inspired by a transgender teacher in Clarksville.

“That raises a serious question about priorities,” Wise said. “Because when one adult as a negative experience, legislation is written. But when students in this district experience harm – real harm – the board remains silent.”

Wise alluded to other situations in which students were harmed and the board did not address it publicly.

“When one child is shown material that is inappropriate, they remain silent,” she said. “Over and over again, these are framed as isolated incidents. … Supporting means being transparent, even when it’s difficult.”

Father of student says trust in district is ‘shattered’

Adam Roger Ellithorpe, the father of the student involved in the Vedder incident, also addressed the board.

“I was told I was not permitted to discuss anything that is currently under active investigation, so I will speak generally despite the fact that CMCSS is not currently investigating what happened to my daughter,” he said.

Ellithorpe said his trust in the district was shattered. “It feels like parents are being intentionally kept in the dark, and that protecting the district’s image comes before protecting the kids,” he said.

He added that other families have contacted him since the incident, some saying their children felt uncomfortable before March 9. “There were signs before this,” he said. “Were they taken seriously? They were not.”

Calls for clarity over anger

Amanda Frost, wearing “Public School Strong” shirt, urged the community to focus on facts rather than anger.

“I know there are many here with pitchforks ready and wanting justice no matter what that looks like,” she said. “Instead of reacting, I’m asking for clarity, accountability and facts.”

Frost said she had reached out to several board members and received no response. “Silence sends a message,” she said. “If we are serious about protecting children, then we need to stop focusing on who we are told to fear and start paying attention to what is actually happening … because once again, it wasn’t a drag or trans person.”

School Board members respond

At the end of the meeting, board member Carol Berry addressed the crowd.

“I will not be silent,” she said. “If there’s injustice, I will fight for what’s right.” Berry said she had received many calls since the Vedder situation, but that the board must wait for law enforcement to finish their investigation before beginning its own.

Maberry also spoke, saying, “Not one of us would be here if we weren’t loving and caring and concerned about children in our district.”

He noted that the board serves as part of the appellate process for employee and student discipline. If members publicly comment on a case that later comes before them, he said, they would be required to recuse themselves.

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