LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Records show the teacher involved in a fight with a student at Marion C. Moore School has previously been under investigation.
Jefferson County Public Schools is investigating "some kind of physical altercation" that took place between a student and teacher at Moore Aug. 23.
Video posted to social media shows 16-year old Jamir Strane and teacher William Bennett fighting in a hallway.
Strane's family hired Louisville attorney Aubrey Williams to handle their case, saying words prior to the fight brought back trauma from when Strane was previously shot.
"This kid suffers PTSD as a result of being shot, and this man here mocked him," Williams said. "JCPS was not interested in knowing more about this man, and how he was going to behave himself."
Bennett has decades of teaching experience and also spent time on Elizabethtown City Council. Despite years in the classroom, ethical standards have previously been called into question.
School records from Bullitt County show Bennett was suspended for five days in March of 2019 for allegedly leaving his class unattended and making inappropriate comments to students at North Bullitt High School.
A state review panel later dismissed the misconduct charge, saying some of his actions were justified given the situation — and some of the other student complaints had unconfirmed details.
Later in 2019, Bennett applied to JCPS.
In his application, obtained by WHAS11, Bennett wrote at one point in his career he was not rehired by Hardin County Schools. He did not explain why, saying "no explanation given."
"Why did you not take the necessary precautions to make sure this didn't happen?" said Moore parent Lakeesha Thomas.
When asked how those kinds of answers might impact a candidate's hiring, JCPS spokesperson Renee Murphy said applicants generally have chances to disclose information. If required info isn't shared, she said there could be consequences.
Whether Bennett's current situation falls in that category is unclear, as JCPS says it will not comment on its pending investigation.
WHAS11 has not been able to reach Bennett or his lawyer.
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