Coach Accused Of Taking Locker Room Photos

A cell phone could get a Brevard County middle school teacher fired because school administrators said he kept insisting on bringing it into the boy's locker room.

Police told Channel 9 there's no indication that teacher Carl Stamm ever took pictures of any boys at Southwest Middle School in Palm Bay, but he was told by administrators to stop bringing his camera phone into the locker room.

Stamm was warned twice by two different principals here over two years. Regardless of whether he actually used his phone to take pictures of students in the locker room, the school district said he's not following orders.

Carl Stamm's 18-year career as a physical education teacher and basketball coach could soon be over because of his cell phone.

The principals at Southwest Middle School received complaints that the 63-year-old teacher was using his cell phone to take pictures inside the boys' locker room.

"The students each and every time had the perception he was taking photographs with his cell phone," said Andrea Alford, security director.

Administrators warned Stamm verbally and in writing not to take out his cell phone in the locker room again, but they received another complaint.

"He was given a specific order, a directive. You are not to take your cell phone in the locker room," said Alford.

Palm Bay police and the Department of Children and Families have investigated the complaints too. According to a police report, students could hear the shutter although no victims ever came forward to say they had their picture taken.

Stamm told investigators he was just using his phone as a watch and showed them there were no pictures.

In addition to teaching P.E., he also coached girl's basketball at Palm Bay High and 9th grade football at Bayside High School.

Parents said they agree with the district.

"I mean if they tell him not to do something, he shouldn't do it," said on parent.

Carl Stamm contested the recommendation and plans to meet with the superintendant to make his case next Monday. The school board will have the final say next week.