A Sycamore teacher and union president has come under scrutiny following allegations of indecent exposure, inappropriate behavior, and racist remarks during a school board meeting.

Danielle Scrase, who serves as president of the Sycamore Education Association, was investigated by Sycamore Community Schools after an incident at the September 18, 2024, Board of Education meeting.

Video footage, obtained by WCPO, allegedly shows Scrase pulling her pants down three times in a common area while walking toward a restroom.

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Witnesses also reported that she appeared under the influence and smelled of alcohol during the meeting.

Scrase allegedly made racist comments directed at Sycamore High School’s Black principal, stating, “Oh look, an incompetent Black man taking a photo” and “An incompetent Black man shouldn’t be in the picture.”

She is also accused of harassing a school district employee.

Scrase allegedly sent text messages to the community relations director, who was working to fix a technical issue during the meeting.

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One of the messages reportedly read, “You know you are a joke, right, and you are lucky to have your job and pay.”

Initially, the school district suspended Scrase for 45 days without pay, but after she filed a grievance, both parties agreed to a reduced 15-day suspension.

At the March 4 board meeting, several parents spoke out against the district’s decision to reinstate Scrase, questioning how such behavior could be excused.

“How many of you would still have your job if you walked into your place of work drunk, exposed yourself, bullied a female co-worker via text message, and made a racially charged comment?” said parent Brad Comerford.

Ronnie Hill also expressed concerns, stating, “If you have somebody that’s OK saying that—especially if they had a drink, that’s liquid courage—it’s going to come out how they feel.”

Another community member, Emmanuel Black, urged the board to reconsider their decision, saying, “I hope that the board will reconsider and look at the content of the character of this teacher.”

In a letter to the superintendent, Scrase pushed back against the district’s findings, claiming that the documentation on her suspension “contains inaccuracies, omits information, takes events out of context and totally disregards my testimony.”

She acknowledged making the racist comments but defended herself by saying she spoke them “under my breath” and “not within earshot of any family members in the audience.”

Scrase attributed her habit of speaking aloud to her Italian upbringing, stating, “Talking aloud to oneself is part of our culture.”

She also admitted to consuming alcohol before the meeting, stating she had “one mixed drink” but denied being intoxicated.

Addressing the indecent exposure allegations, Scrase insisted she did not expose herself to anyone and claimed she only began to lower her pants just before entering the restroom, writing, “I did not expose myself to anyone, no one else was on this secured side.”

A Sycamore Township, Ohio teacher and president of the Sycamore Education Association attended a school board meeting intoxicated, exposed herself, bullied a teacher via text message and made a racist remark out loud about the school’s Black principal. She was suspended for 45… pic.twitter.com/rI2Yf7G9gZ

— Darvio Morrow (@DTheKingpin) March 13, 2025

Regarding the text messages sent to the community relations director, Scrase admitted to sending them but argued that they were sent from her personal phone, not a district-paid device.

She also accused the director of “constantly texting on her phone” during board meetings.

The controversy surrounding Scrase has led to growing frustration among parents and community members.

Many have questioned whether an educator with this history should continue to work in the school system.

The Sycamore Community Schools has not indicated whether further action will be taken against Scrase beyond the 15-day suspension.

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