Washington County school board member Keith Ervin charged with assault

Washington County Board of Education member Keith Ervin has been charged with assault following an April board meeting incident involving a student representative. According to a report from the Jonesborough Police Department, a Washington County grand jury returned a true bill on May 11, for one count of simple assault against Ervin under Tennessee Code Annotated 39-13-101(a)(3). The charge stems from an April 2 Washington County Board of Education meeting where Ervin was publicly recorded calling a student board member "hot" and touching her arm. Ervin has previously said the comment was taken out of context. According to the police report, the student's father filed the charge on April 3. The report states Ervin was ordered to receive a criminal summons after the grand jury returned the true bill. Police said Ervin was contacted by phone on May 18 and came to Jonesborough Police Department headquarters, where he was served with the criminal summons. Court records show Ervin is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 7, 2026. On April 8, the school board formally censured Ervin for his conduct. Despite the censure, he remains on the board as an elected official. In a statement released Tuesday, Washington County Schools said the district had been notified that formal charges were filed against Ervin and reiterated criticism previously made by board leadership regarding the incident. The district also said the board does not have the authority under Tennessee law to remove a sitting elected board member from office. The full statement from Washington County Schools: "The Board of Education has been notified that formal charges of simple assault have been filed against Board Member Keith Ervin following an incident involving a student representative at the April 2, 2026, Board meeting. "Board chair Annette Buchannan previously stated that Mr. Ervin's comments and actions were 'shocking' and that he 'objectified and diminished a young woman.' The Board reiterates that Mr. Ervin's actions do not reflect the standards, policies, or values of the school district. The Board remains committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and appropriate environment for all students and staff. "The Board will defer to law enforcement and the judicial system for the resolution of these charges. Under Tennessee law, school board members are independently elected officials, and so the Board lacks the statutory authority to remove a sitting member from office. "Since this is an open legal matter, neither the Board nor any district official has any further comment. The district's primary focus remains on the education and well-being of its students, and standard support resources are available to any student or staff member affected by this situation." This is a developing story.