Tenn. School Principal Recants on Beating

[Judi Lynn]

Tenn. School Principal Recants on Beating
School Principal in Tennessee Recants, Says He Faked Brutal Beating by Masked Men
The Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. Nov 29, 2005 — A school principal who claimed two masked men attacked him says he made up the story and inflicted the injuries himself, authorities said Tuesday.

Authorities would not say why 37-year-old Steve Steelman faked the attack.

Steelman was found beaten Nov. 7 in his office at Fayetteville Intermediate School after school hours. Police said he suffered head injuries and was treated at a hospital, but they would not give details of the injuries or say exactly how they were inflicted.

Steelman, a principal for four years, was suspended without pay and could face criminal charges.
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1356144

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Principal Recovers After Attack; Police Search for Attackers
Posted: 11/8/2005 4:22:00 PM
Updated: 11/8/2005 4:38:22 PM



Lincoln County Principal, Steve Steelman is still the hospital after being attacked and severely beaten in his office Monday night.

Police said the two men responsible are on the loose.

It's a community in shock that's having a difficult time believing a vicious attack could happen to a man that is so well-liked.
(snip)

They held classes at Fayetteville Intermediate School on Tuesday. Police were present, but principal Steve Steelman was absent. The 37 year-old is recovering at a Huntsville Hospital after being assaulted by two men in his office after school Monday Afternoon.

"It's a sad day for Fayetteville and Lincoln County to have something this horrendous happen to a guy that's so well loved and respected," said Debbie Rutledge, a grandparent of one of the school’s students.
(snip)

"To brazenly walk into a school and assault a public official in a public building is an attack on this community and we will not stand for it."
(snip/...)

http://www.newschannel5.com/content/news/15490.asp

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Police are no closer to an arrest in the beating of a valley principal and investigators need your help.

While police look for new leads, faculty and staff are taking steps to make the campus safer.
(snip)

But so far, no arrests have been made.

Giffin says sixteen security cameras are being installed throughout the school.

Crews spent Wednesday afternoon installing wiring and power to feed each camera.

The wiring will then be connected to a digital receiver that will record images both inside and outside the school.

"Having 16 cameras will enable us to cover every entrance and exit in the building and make sure we can monitor everything that goes on," says Giffin.
(snip/...)

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=4160708&nav=0hBE


Let's go get those guys!

[redqueen]

1. How bizarre...

What's going on in those pics?

[chaz4jazz]

2. Munchausen Syndrome?

Could he have been feeling guilty about something he did and was trying to head off any problem by gaining sympathy from those around him by claiming to be a victim?

[muryan]

3. amazing

how one lie can trigger such a gross over-reaction that really serves no purpose...sounds familiar

[slampoet]

4. Mark my words, The cameras that are being put up due to this false report.

will stay in the school as protection from future events.

My work put up a whole surveilence system only to find out that the CFO was getting a kickback from the security company. Rather than take the cameras down my company decided to keep them.

Stupids unamericans.

[AlCzervik]

5. reminds me of the bathroom scene from the movie Liar, Liar

"I'm kicking my own ass, do you mind??!!!"

[madparent]

6. Tennessee Principal

Steve Steelman is working in our concession stand at South Lincoln School. This school is in the same county where this incident happened. I along with other parents feel that Mr. Steelman should be out of circulation and healing himself. His children don't go to this school but he goes to church with some of the members on the PTO board including his sister in law and brother who have children in our school. I have gone to the president of the PTO and complained to no avail. Mental illness is nothing to play with I know I lived with a mentally ill person for 12 years until he committed suicide. I have deep concerns for the children who have stated that they are afraid of Mr. Steelmen. If anyone can tell me other ways to remove him from our school please let me know.

[Lars39]

8. Welcome to DU,madparent.

Have you talked with the school superintendent?
The kids' welfare should come first with somebody up the food chain.

[madparent]

9. Tennessee Principal

I may as well be talking to you for all the good it would do. We are a small county and it's all about the "good buddy" system. I did go to the PTO president who forwarded my concerns to the principal. Most of the PTO board members go to church with Mr. Steelman. His children are in the city schools that's where he belongs.

[FreedomAngel82]

7. Wow

Why would he do that to himself? :crazy:

[madparent]

10. WOW

No one can fugure it out. He has a wonderful family and is from a wonderful family. At first he said someone else did it. Then he changed his story. We all thought maybe someone threatened him or his family if he talked but a law officer told me that there never was a crime scene and that they suspected something from the get go. He has to be very sick mentally that is why I was so upset at the fact that he is allowed to be working around our children.

[madparent]

11. Tennessee Principal

Is there anyone out there who knows who (out of our school system) that I could talk with to make sure that this man doesn't end up being our principal? It is rumored that our's has resigned. He wants the superintendent's job cause he resined as of June. Our superintendent is appointented by the board it's not an elected position anymore so the parents don't have a voice in who is over their school's. We really need help here in Lincoln County. We are considering home schooling next year.

[Lars39]

12. Sounds like your'e going to have to lean hard on the school board.

I hate small town politics. I never know who is kin to who until I stick my foot in my mouth.