By Jolene Farley
Rick and Lori Scholten, parents of Derek Ehde, filed a complaint on June 15, 2001, with the Minnesota Board of Teaching, but they are uncertain if they will pursue a civil case against former Hills-Beaver Creek Superintendent Tom Knoll.
Knoll was accused of assaulting then 19-year-old Derek Ehde on Thursday, April 26, 2001, at Hills-Beaver Creek High School.
The Rock County Sheriff's Department investigated the incident, and after reviewing statements from six students and two teachers, Assistant County Attorney Terry Vajgrt determined there was not sufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing to prosecute.
According to Minnesota assault statute, it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt the perpetrator intended to cause harm or fear of harm.
After exhausting local avenues, the Scholtens decided to file a complaint with the state agency.
The Minnesota Board of Teaching has statutory authority to revoke, suspend or deny licensure in the state of Minnesota.
"I have no doubt he will probably end up losing his license," said Lori Scholten. "What hurts me is we never received an apology from anybody."
Knoll left H-BC in July after eight years for a position in the Hayfield district, located about 25 miles southwest of Rochester.
"I'm really happy he's out of our district, but I don't want him to continue doing in other districts what heÕs done in the past," Scholten said.
Investigations by the Minnesota Board of Teaching can vary in length from a few months to years, according to representative Nancy Triplet.