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Blount County school board members Tuesday upheld the 30-workday suspension without pay that Blount County Director of Schools Rob Britt imposed on a William Blount High School teacher who drew a pistol on another man on or near the school property.

School board members heard arguments from Rob Goddard, who represented Britt, and Virginia McCoy, a Tennessee Education Association attorney representing teacher Harold Gene Huffstetler.

According to the original Blount County Sheriff's Office report, Charles Wayne Owens, Camellia Trace Drive, Maryville, reported that he and his wife had been driving on U.S. 411 South Oct. 5 and they "pulled out in front of Mr. Huffstetler's vehicle."

Owens alleged that Huffstetler "made some hand gestures to them" before pulling into William Blount High School.

The Owenses allegedly drove past the school turnoff and soon then turned around and drove back to the school entrance where Huffstetler was parked, the school system's investigative report said. Owens then alleged that Huffstetler approached his vehicle, which was being driven by his wife, and that he got out and "shoved (Huffstetler) away from the vehicle," the police report said.

At that point, Owens claimed Huffstetler "pulled a small pistol out of his pocket and pointed it at (him)." The pistol -- a Ruger LCP .380-caliber handgun -- was seized by deputies at the scene. Huffstetler was charged with aggravated assault.

At his Oct. 28 preliminary hearing, Blount County General Sessions Court Judge Robert L. Headrick found it had not been adequately proven after testimony that Huffstetler was actually on school property when the incident took place; nor was there enough probable cause to take the aggravated assault charge to a grand jury.

Huffstetler serves as William Blount High School's construction technology teacher. He was suspended without pay -- effective Oct. 8 -- pending the outcome of the school system's investigation into the incident.

Dr. Jane Morton, complaint manager for Blount County Schools, submitted the results of her own investigation to Britt on Nov. 5. Britt later imposed a 30-workday suspension without pay on Huffstetler, who returned to work on Nov. 20.

During Morton's testimony, she said William Blount High School -- which was on fall break -- was holding a volleyball game on Oct. 5. School officials contend Huffstetler's actions amounted to unprofessional conduct.

Huffstetler testified that he met one of his friends between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Oct. 5 and rode his motorcycle out to Tellico Plains. He said he carried the gun because they often traveled to remote areas and felt they needed protection.

Huffstetler testified he got back to his house around 4 p.m., picked up his wife's car and planned to pick up his tools at William Blount High School so he could help repair a friend's toilet.

After the Owenses pulled out in front of him, Huffstetler testified he only wanted to get away from the situation. He said he never made any gestures or said anything to the couple.

Huffstetler testified that he pulled off William Blount Drive and parked his car. He said Charles Owens got out of his vehicle, tried to knock him down and then he saw the driver's side door open.

Huffstetler testified the car's windows were tinted, and he didn't know how many people were in the vehicle. The teacher said he feared for his own safety and drew his handgun hoping to scare the man off.

Huffstetler testified Owens grabbed his hands, so he backed away from the man. The teacher said he went back to his car and waited for law enforcement to arrive.

Suspension upheld

Goddard explained Britt's decision to board members in his closing argument. "Mr. Huffstetler made a mistake. He made a mistake when he brought it (his handgun) to campus and when he pulled it out," he said. "It was not a mistake the director of schools felt he should be terminated for, but he should be punished for it."

Board Chairman Rob Webb later opened the floor to discussion. John Davis later made a motion to uphold the system's findings. Board members unanimously approved the motion.

Huffstetler declined to comment on the decision. He has 30 days to file an appeal to Blount County Chancery Court, McCoy said.