Vine Star Carter Reynolds' Brother Keeps Teaching Job

Ben Hill Middle School physical education teacher Adam Reynolds might not get to return to that school, but he does have a job in Hillsborough County.

That’s the word from Hillsborough County Public Schools following a split vote to retain the teacher, ending an unpaid suspension that began in October. Board members voted Tuesday to not uphold the firing following an insubordination charge levied against the educator. Carol Kurdell, Melissa Snively and Dorethea Edgecomb voted to uphold the firing, but the other four school board members did not.

According to school district spokesman Steve Hegarty, the board not only opted against upholding the superintendent’s firing recommendation, but back pay is also expected for the beleaguered educator.

“He has been out of the classroom for roughly a year,” Hegarty confirmed.

The controversy surrounding Reynolds erupted last spring when the 43-year-old teacher brought his half-brother, Carter Reynolds, 17, to Ben Hill for lunch with a few students and hosted an off-campus fundraiser, The Tampa Tribune reported. Carter Reynolds has shot to social media star status courtesy of the short-form video app Vine. He has more than 4.2 million followers.

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Former Ben Hill Principal Jacquelyn Scaglione contended Adam Reynolds didn’t have permission to bring the Vine star onto campus. Adam Reynolds, however, has said he had permission from an assistant principal. As for the fundraiser, which benefited a few local causes, Adam Reynolds has maintained it was an out-of-school, private event that was staged at the Carrollwood County Club when he wasn’t on the school district’s clock.

The two appearances from the Vine star also gave rise to allegations from an underage student that Carter Reynolds had sex with her, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The claim was investigated by law enforcement, but no arrest was made.

Tuesday’s hearing on Adam Reynolds’ fate was held behind closed doors. The decision to not uphold the firing was announced in the afternoon.

Where Adam Reynolds will end up working following his reinstatement remains unknown.

“I doubt that he will be returning to Hill Middle,” Hegarty told Patch. “The position he held was vacant and we filled it. So we’ll have to look for another position at another school. That’s still to be decided.”

As for Adam Reynolds, he told the Times he feels “vindicated” by the decision, but is sad he won’t be returning to Ben Hill.

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