Another alleged wackadoo

Here is the story. Here is the petition to fire this teacher, with all the details included.

A Coconut Creek High band teacher may be suspended without pay Tuesday after he admitted that he slammed the cover of piano keys down on one of his student's fingers, punched other students in the stomach to teach them a breathing technique and often swore at students, a school district report shows.

Band Director Scott Adelman, 36, of Margate, was reassigned to a job away from kids last October after several students came forward with complaints.

In addition to the school district investigation, Coconut Creek police charged Adelman with simple battery after he struck a student who was trying to get her things out of the band room after an October homecoming pep rally. He pushed the girl into another student and then punched her in the chest, the police report says.

Two days before that, the same girl recorded Adelman on her cellphone saying ''I am ready to put my fingers around someone's neck and choke someone right now,'' the school district report says.

After completing an anger management class, Adelman pleaded no contest on May 24 to simple battery and will pay court costs.

Broward School Board members will vote on whether to suspend him without pay and start the process of firing him at a meeting Tuesday.

Adelman's attorney, Steve Rossi, he plans to appeal. ''We feel that the termination is not warranted under the circumstances,'' Rossi said.

Adelman has been working for the school district since 2003 and started teaching at Coconut Creek High in 2005.

The events that led to his departure rattled band students.

Coconut Creek High band member Mike Lapadura said he observed Adelman's anger.

''I had issues with him,'' said Mike, 16, who plays the saxophone. ``He's thrown chairs at me as well as other kids. He's gotten up in my face and screamed and cursed.''

On top of that, Adelman's transfer meant a new teacher had to step in to lead the 70-member band in the middle of the year.

''Music is a big part of my life and I'd hate for it to get worse from here,'' said Mike, who will be a junior in the fall.

Travis Kennedy, who just graduated, said he also saw Adelman lose his temper but believes it was for good reason.

Students ''completely disrespected him,'' said Travis, who plays the tuba. ``A lot of people didn't see his point of view on a lot of things. He was an OK guy.''

A school district committee evaluating the case decided Adelman was not suited to work with students, said Joe Melita, the district's chief investigator.

''Do we think this person has the temperament to be around kids? The committee said no,'' Melita said.

Miami Herald staff writer Hannah Sampson contributed to this report.