INDIANAPOLIS — A Ben Davis teacher who has been on administrative leave after allegedly assaulting a student will be able return to the school next year.
The Wayne Township Schools board approved a mutual agreement Monday for Don Carlisle to remain on administrative leave for the remainder of the current school year, with provisions that would allow him to return to the school as a teacher and varsity boys basketball coach for the 2024-25 school year.
In a statement to 13News, the school district said Carlisle was afforded due process, and the agreement "provides an opportunity for Mr. Carlisle to continue making valuable contributions to the community."
M.S.D. of Wayne Township said Carlisle was placed on leave following a report of an assault by the physical education teacher on a 15-year-old 11th grade student on Sept. 6. A police report filed on Sept. 7 says the incident happened around 1:30 p.m. The district clarified in a statement to 13News that while the police report was made a day after the alleged assault, "a staff member appropriately made to the Indiana Department of Child Services on September 6 to alert authorities as required by law."
When asked for a statement on the MSD of Wayne Township agreement with Carlisle, 13News received the following response:
Mr. Carlisle was involved in an incident with a student on Sept. 6, 2023, that violated school policy D550-R Protective Measures in Self-Defense of Defense of Others.
After careful consideration and discussions between Mr. Carlisle and the District, we are suspending Mr. Carlisle without pay, subject to return for next school year. Mr. Carlisle will be required to complete trainings mandated by Administration for return.
We believe this agreement provides an opportunity for Mr. Carlisle to continue making valuable contributions to our school community.
The Marion County Prosecutor's Office told 13News that Carlisle entered into a pre-charging diversion agreement — avoiding any criminal charges. As part of the agreement, Carlisle will take an anger management course. He must also not be arrested for one year on any other incident.
Carlisle responded, "No comment" in response to a 13News request for a statement.
His attorney, Katie Jackson-Lindsay, shared the following statement with 13News Tuesday afternoon:
"Don Carlisle has a reputation in this community as a committed licensed educator as well as a decorated and dedicated coach. He’s made it his life’s work to be an educator and mentor in the Indianapolis community. The decisions of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office not to pursue charges and Wayne Township to reinstate his employment after thorough investigations will allow Coach Carlisle to continue in this spirit of service and continue his legacy of great work."
The student's mother, who did not want to be identified, told 13News that her son was changing shoes for gym class in the bleachers when Carlisle confronted him about not using the dressing room. She said Carlisle threw the boy's slider shoe across the gym floor. The boy allegedly told Carlisle that the teacher should go get it.
The mother said Carlisle then punched the boy in the mouth and pushed him up against the bleachers. She said her son grabbed Carlisle's necklace, defending himself. The mother said Carlisle then pushed the boy to the ground and punched him in the mouth again.
The school district has received a tort claim.
After the alleged assault was reported, 13News learned Carlisle had been teaching classes at Ben Davis for more than a year on an expired emergency permit. Indiana Department of Education records show that Carlisle’s emergency permit to teach physical education and health expired June 30, 2022.
The district named Corey Taylor as interim boys basketball coach in October.
Last March, Carlisle led the Giants to a perfect 33-0 season and a state championship win over Kokomo. This summer, Carlisle was selected for the honor of coaching the Indiana boys' All-Star team against Kentucky.
He played college basketball at IUPUI and also played professionally. He's served five seasons as head coach of the Giants.