Centerville fires aide for 'inappropriate communication' with students
May 15—CENTERVILLE — The Centerville Community School Board voted to terminate a contract with a teacher's aide and assistant coach Monday.
The vote to terminate Jakob Bauer was unanimous and had immediate effect. Centerville Schools Superintendent Mark Taylor said Bauer was terminated due to "inappropriate communication using cell phone and social media with student athletes at various times during the month of April 2024."
The information was released in response to a public records request filed by The Ottumwa Courier. Under Iowa law, public entities are required to explain the reasons and rationale for terminations.
Taylor said Bauer was found to have violated board policy 404.R1 by having communications that violated the normal bounds of coach and student athlete.
Bauer was hired in January as special education aide specific at Lakeview Elementary School, at a rate of $12.17 per hour for 7.75 hours a day, according to meeting minutes. In December he was also awarded a high school assistant boys basketball coaching contract and was paid $2,258.14.
Kyle Ocker is the editor of the Ottumwa Courier and the Oskaloosa Herald. He can be reached at kocker@ottumwacourier.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, and on Threads @Kyle_Ocker.
