Longtime auto shop instructor’s job on the line after failure to report incident
Hundreds packed a Lake Central school board meeting on Monday to vocally support a longtime auto shop teacher with his job now on the line.
At issue are actions not taken on Sept. 21 after a man reportedly approached the auto shop bay near working students after school with a visible gun, officials said.
The man returned the side arm to his car, then returned to speak with the teacher. He was upset about a student speeding in the neighborhood behind the school, Superintendent Larry Veracco said after the meeting.
Auto shop teacher Dennis Brannock, 76, was placed immediately on administrative leave after not reporting the incident right away to administrators or police, Dan Bacso, school board president, said, reading a prepared board statement.
“While we are relieved none of the student or staff were harmed, any safety threats to our students are disconcerting,” he said.
A review by St. John police was ongoing, safety protocols were being re-examined and the school would work to make sure auto shop students could still get their certifications “without interruption,” he said.
Brannock could not be immediately reached for comment early Tuesday.
Veracco said it would not likely be able to quickly replace Brannock while on leave, but would make sure auto shop students seeking certification could recover missed hours.
The school is still investigating Brannock’s fate. In order to minimize the impact to students, it should be wrapped up in the next seven to 10 days, Veracco said following the meeting.
A school board member, Janice Malchow, who was also at the high school that day also did not immediately notify authorities. She was later interviewed by police, Bacso said.
She was not present at Monday’s meeting.
Officials only learned of what happened later that night, officials said previously. A student told their parent, who then called the school.
Brannock has taught auto shop since 1973. Current and former students, auto shop owners packed the auditorium, some wearing “TEAM BRANNOCK” T-shirts.
During a 30-plus minute public comment period, nearly three dozen speakers called Brannock a mentor, father figure and champion when they otherwise struggled in school.
At least two speakers said Brannock taught both them and their kids. Others spoke of how he helped them them get a job and set up lasting careers as mechanics. A handful stayed until the end to provide additional messages of support.
Brannock “was by far my favorite teacher,” said Jake Chatel. “Fifty percent of students right here” got jobs because of him, he said.
“He’s taught me everything I know,” Chatel said.
“The character he gives these young people… without (Brannock) that automotive class is going to be dead in the water,” said Butch Grimmer, of Grimmer’s Service Center.
Chris Koepl, of Dyer, a 1980 Lake Central graduate, said Brannock had taught him, his son and two nephews, one now working as a GM mechanic.
Two speakers called for him to be disciplined.
Former school board member John DeVries said the situation was “very difficult,” but a lapse in security could not be tolerated.
“Does anyone know he wasn’t coming back?” he said. “Some of you (are lucky you) aren’t across the street at Fagan (Miller Funeral Home.)”
Malchow “has to answer for her inaction too,” DeVries said.
Parent Ed Mendoza said he got a “disturbing” call that day from his daughter. It could have quickly turned into a tragedy for CNN cameras, he said.
“We all have to be held accountable for our actions,” he said. “Letting the safety of our children lapse, it just can’t happen.”
Both comments received muted applause.
“Whatever you guys choose, let him go with dignity,” senior Trey Baker, 17, said near the meeting’s end.
The man with the gun has not been publicly identified. Charges are pending, St. John police Chief James Kveton said via email earlier Monday.
“We are still finalizing the investigation and working with the prosecutor’s office to get approval,” he said.
He is banned from returning to Lake Central, Bacso said in the board’s statement. The district is also reviewing safety protocols with students and staff.
Officials should examine if there is a way to fence off the auto shop, Board Vice President Sandy Lessentine said.
Parents have expressed both sides, Veracco said afterwards. In addition to the strong support for Brannock during the meeting, he’s also received several calls from fearful parents saying their kid was at school that day.
“It puts us in a tricky situation,” he said.
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