The Fargo Public Schools School Board suspended Theater and English teacher Kevin Kennedy without pay on April 5.

This decision came after an initial complaint occurred March 10, in which a student alleged that Kennedy crossed boundaries by engaging in inappropriate touching and comments. Kennedy has not been back at South since, and the district is seeking to terminate his contract.

Dr. Rupak Gandhi, the superintendent of Fargo Public Schools, is currently heading the case to fire Kennedy. District administrators, according to its complaint, allege that Kennedy touched students’ waist and shoulder areas against their consent, entered dressing rooms while students were still changing into costumes and talked to students in an suggestive fashion, including encouraging specific interpersonal relationships between his students and telling them how they should date.

This most recent incident is not Kennedy’s first on his file. According to a previous Fargo Public Schools report, Kennedy previously admitted to asking students about whether they had taken nude photos and about their virginity.

He has been investigated by the school district in previous instances for inappropriate behavior involving students, including multiple times in 2019 and 2021.

The next step in the process is for a judge to preside over the case, but the FPS school board will have the final say on whether Kennedy is terminated.

Students might recall a similar incident that occurred about a year ago, in which Carl Ben Eielson history teacher Jack Raaen resigned after accusations of him inappropriately touching students. In his incident, which was slightly less severe, he resigned before the district began the termination process.

The spring play, written and originally directed by Kennedy, continued through the guidance of Dave Wilhelmi. See page 8 for a review of Bloodlines. Mr. Godel now teaches the theater classes. Additionally, Mrs. Woida, Mr. Norman and Mrs. Olson have picked up the English classes Kennedy taught.