Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 4, 1993 TAG: 9306040158
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAIRFAX LENGTH: Medium
Math teacher Michael Bullock, 49, was found dead in his Springfield apartment Monday. A source told The Washington Post that Bullock died of a drug overdose.
Bullock had been depressed since being placed on administrative leave two weeks ago while school officials investigated the girl's allegation that he made an inappropriate remark about her chest, his brother said.
Two notes found near Bullock's body said he was worried he would be found guilty of harassment and then transferred to a job shuffling papers, Bullock's brother said. Bullock taught in Fairfax schools for 21 years.
During a meeting last week with three administrators investigating the girl's allegation, Bullock was told that "he was guilty of sexual harassment because he had created what they called a `hostile environment' in the classroom," said Rick Nelson, teachers' union president.
Superintendent Robert R. Spillane said Wednesday there had been other complaints against Bullock. The complaints involved suggestive remarks that Bullock allegedly made about students' bodies, which the students considered to be verbal harassment, Spillane said.
He did not disclose the status of any investigation of those complaints or whether Bullock had been disciplined.
Spillane said Bullock was not told he would be found guilty.
Nelson said the complaint against Bullock stemmed from an incident several weeks ago during a math class.
Bullock, a large man, was repeatedly poked in the chest by the girl "in a friendly but painful manner," Nelson said.
When Bullock asked the girl to stop, she made a remark about the large size of his chest. Bullock responded with a comment about the small size of her chest, Nelson said.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB