Second Vina teacher resigns

The second Vina teacher to be accused of having a sexual relationship with a student officially resigned last Tuesday.

At their meeting on Feb. 4, Franklin County school board members accepted the resignation of 38-year-old Brian Scott Keeton, of Carbon Hill, who was arrested on Nov. 13 and charged with one count of being a school employee engaging in a sexual act with a student under the age of 19, which was the result of allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old Vina senior.

Keeton’s arrest came only five days after Vina’s physical education teacher, Sonny Tibbs, 35, was arrested on Nov. 8 on three counts of the same charge for his alleged relationship with a different 17-year-old Vina student.

Unlike Tibbs, who reportedly confessed to his ongoing relationship with a student, Oliver said Keeton denied the allegations against him.

This school year was Keeton’s second year as a math teacher at Vina and his first year as the head coach of the boys’ basketball team.

Tibbs sent in his letter of resignation during the Christmas break and it was officially accepted at the Jan. 2 board meeting.

Franklin County Superintendent Gary Williams said he sent Keeton a certified letter after the January board meeting letting Keeton know he would be officially recommending his termination at the February board meeting.

Williams said he received Keeton’s letter of resignation last Tuesday and it was approved at the board meeting that evening.

“These were terrible incidents that occurred, but now that both of the accused teachers have officially resigned, I hope that this incident can be put behind us,” Williams said.

“Vina is a great school and a great community. There are wonderful students and faculty members there, and we are proud of the way the community has supported their school during this time.

“Hopefully we can all continue to move forward.”