State BOE revokes licenses of two former area teachers

By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Board of Education has revoked the teaching licenses of two former educators for the Mahoning Valley area.
The board voted 16-0 at its monthly meeting Tuesday to revoke the license of William R. Iagulli, a former Austintown Fitch High School teacher who resigned his teaching position March 7 as he prepared to go to trial March 8 on charges of telecommunications harassment and solicitation. He was accused of using a computer to solicit a student for sex.
Iagulli never went on trial, instead pleading guilty and voluntarily surrendering his license.
The license, a five-year high-school teaching certificate and a three-year pupil activity supervisor validation, is permanently revoked.
A Beaver Local high school teacher also had his license permanently revoked, by a 14-2 vote.
Gary L. Phillips, a former driver's education teacher and athletic trainer, had the eight-year license revoked for misdemeanor theft, passing a bad check, misconduct and unprofessional conduct with students.
Phillips was convicted in 2003 of first-degree misdemeanor theft, according to information provided by the state. The state also indicated that in 2002, he wrote a check on a closed account to a clerk of courts.
The state board had evidence that Phillips bought expensive gifts for students, spending more than $11,000 for gifts for one student, including a car. He spent more than $16,000 on another student, providing musical instruments, an amplifier, travel, ski equipment and cash, according to the state.
At one point, Phillips bought airplane tickets intending to fly out of state with two students, and frequently transported students in his car without their parents' permission, according to the state.
Parents complained about his use of profanity, the state's information indicates.
In a letter to the state board dated Feb. 5, Phillips denied misconduct with students, saying he transported students to wrestling matches with the knowledge of the administration.
He said he bought gifts for student trainers, but challenged the board to produce the gifts totaling $27,000.
He denied knowing the account was closed before he wrote the check to the clerk of courts.
He said he may have said a few words of profanity in frustration, but not as a habit.
Phillips indicates in the letter that he resigned from the district in July 2002.