Eastern Shore Undercover Editorial: The Unjust Termination of Delmar Teacher and Baseball Coach Jordan Johnson
An incident involving a Delmar High School Teacher and Baseball Coach, Jordan Johnson, has sparked significant discussion among the Delmar community.
For those unaware, Jordan Johnson received a letter of termination following an incident at a private graduation party, which now warrants a critical examination of both the policy and process employed in making this decision. Johnson has filed a motion for appeal and a hearing will be held on a date to be determined.
On the surface, the situation may appear straightforward. At the graduation party, where teachers, coaches, parents, and students attended, underage individuals were photographed with alcoholic beverages.
Although Johnson was present as a guest and not the host or provider of alcohol, he was terminated for immorality and failing to uphold the staff alcohol and drug policy of Delmar Schools.
The events surrounding Johnson's termination have sparked outrage and a rallying of support from the local community. At the recent Delmar School Board meeting held on the evening of Tuesday, July 8, 2025, community members, family, and prominent figures, including former Delmar Football and Baseball Coach David Hearn, voiced their concerns about the decision.
Hearn, one of the most respected figures in Delmar with decades of experience in Delmar's athletics, questioned the logic of the termination and highlighted the broader implications it poses. Would this action deter staff members from participating in celebratory events for students in the future?
Hearn emphasized the faith he had in Jordan Johnson's ability to lead the baseball program responsibly, which ironically it was Coach Hearn who passed the torch of Delmar Baseball to Johnson after 29 years, leaving the program in the hands of someone he could count on and had the faith in to guide it in the right direction.
Johnson's sister also spoke at the meeting, articulating the family's opposition to underage drinking while underscoring the injustice of and the extreme measures of Johnson's dismissal for what appears to be a first-offense incident.
Analyzing the Delmar staff alcohol and drug policy raises questions. According to existing policy, staff members can remain employed even after multiple instances of arriving at work with detectable blood alcohol levels, provided they do not exceed specific thresholds.
However, Johnson, who did not host the party, was not at work, and has no evidence against him suggesting alcohol consumption, faces immediate dismissal due to students being seen with alcohol at a graduation party/event.
The inconsistency in policy application is glaring. The event was held at a private location, attended by parents who may have permitted their children to consume alcohol in a controlled environment. It is unreasonable to expect a coach or teacher to police parental decisions in such contexts.
While policies are designed to uphold professional standards and accountability, their implementation must account for the nuances of each incident. The strict application of the policy in this case appears to disregard these nuances entirely.
Keep in mind, this was Jordan Johnson's first incident. It has not been established that Johnson committed repeat violations of professional conduct. This appears to be a first offense incident, making the harshness of the response disproportionate.
Second, who holds the role of personal responsibility for kids graduation, a coach attending a party or the parents of the kids, who are at the party? There were parents who were present at the event, and in certain jurisdictions, parental supervision is allowed in controlling underage alcohol consumption.
Placing the onus on Johnson as a guest lacks alignment with legal and cultural contexts in such scenarios. And furthermore, why was Johnson the only staff member held responsible for being these actions? He wasn't in charge, wasn't the sole adult present and what makes his situation any different from anyone else in attendance that day?
The Delmar community, including influential voices such as David Hearn, continues to express unwavering support for Johnson. The collective outpouring of support underscores the respect, impact, and trust he has earned as both a coach and educator.
The circumstances surrounding this decision bring forward a larger question regarding the treatment of school staff at student-related events. Does this set a precedent for disciplinary action against staff members who attend non-school, private events where student infractions occur, irrespective of context or evidence of wrongdoing?
The policy's application in this instance risks alienating dedicated professionals and role models, and undermining the sense of community that is vital in schools.
It creates an environment of uncertainty and discourages participation in student-support events. While this may sound strange or odd, when my wife and I bought our home, we specifically chose Delmar because of its roots and because we wanted our children raised in a community, that is closely bound, and deep rooted.
Jordan Johnson's contributions as a coach and teacher, coupled with his widespread support within the community, speak volumes. This decision needs to be reexamined and reevaluated with fairness, proportionality, and an acknowledgment of the surrounding circumstances in mind.
The Delmar community now has a responsibility to voice its concerns and advocate for change. Ensuring policies are clear, consistent, and implemented fairly will strengthen the trust between staff, students, parents, and administrators.
The time is now to stand for fairness and accountability-not just for Jordan Johnson, but for all who dedicate their time and talent to shaping the future of Delmar's students.
I encourage everyone to contact the members of the Delmar School Board and encourage them to reconsider this drastic measure. Our community needs leaders and more than anything, students need people like Coach Johnson!!!
Meeting Hearing Audio: HERE
For those unaware, Jordan Johnson received a letter of termination following an incident at a private graduation party, which now warrants a critical examination of both the policy and process employed in making this decision. Johnson has filed a motion for appeal and a hearing will be held on a date to be determined.
On the surface, the situation may appear straightforward. At the graduation party, where teachers, coaches, parents, and students attended, underage individuals were photographed with alcoholic beverages.
Although Johnson was present as a guest and not the host or provider of alcohol, he was terminated for immorality and failing to uphold the staff alcohol and drug policy of Delmar Schools.
The events surrounding Johnson's termination have sparked outrage and a rallying of support from the local community. At the recent Delmar School Board meeting held on the evening of Tuesday, July 8, 2025, community members, family, and prominent figures, including former Delmar Football and Baseball Coach David Hearn, voiced their concerns about the decision.
Hearn, one of the most respected figures in Delmar with decades of experience in Delmar's athletics, questioned the logic of the termination and highlighted the broader implications it poses. Would this action deter staff members from participating in celebratory events for students in the future?
Hearn emphasized the faith he had in Jordan Johnson's ability to lead the baseball program responsibly, which ironically it was Coach Hearn who passed the torch of Delmar Baseball to Johnson after 29 years, leaving the program in the hands of someone he could count on and had the faith in to guide it in the right direction.
Johnson's sister also spoke at the meeting, articulating the family's opposition to underage drinking while underscoring the injustice of and the extreme measures of Johnson's dismissal for what appears to be a first-offense incident.
Analyzing the Delmar staff alcohol and drug policy raises questions. According to existing policy, staff members can remain employed even after multiple instances of arriving at work with detectable blood alcohol levels, provided they do not exceed specific thresholds.
However, Johnson, who did not host the party, was not at work, and has no evidence against him suggesting alcohol consumption, faces immediate dismissal due to students being seen with alcohol at a graduation party/event.
The inconsistency in policy application is glaring. The event was held at a private location, attended by parents who may have permitted their children to consume alcohol in a controlled environment. It is unreasonable to expect a coach or teacher to police parental decisions in such contexts.
While policies are designed to uphold professional standards and accountability, their implementation must account for the nuances of each incident. The strict application of the policy in this case appears to disregard these nuances entirely.
Keep in mind, this was Jordan Johnson's first incident. It has not been established that Johnson committed repeat violations of professional conduct. This appears to be a first offense incident, making the harshness of the response disproportionate.
Second, who holds the role of personal responsibility for kids graduation, a coach attending a party or the parents of the kids, who are at the party? There were parents who were present at the event, and in certain jurisdictions, parental supervision is allowed in controlling underage alcohol consumption.
Placing the onus on Johnson as a guest lacks alignment with legal and cultural contexts in such scenarios. And furthermore, why was Johnson the only staff member held responsible for being these actions? He wasn't in charge, wasn't the sole adult present and what makes his situation any different from anyone else in attendance that day?
The Delmar community, including influential voices such as David Hearn, continues to express unwavering support for Johnson. The collective outpouring of support underscores the respect, impact, and trust he has earned as both a coach and educator.
The circumstances surrounding this decision bring forward a larger question regarding the treatment of school staff at student-related events. Does this set a precedent for disciplinary action against staff members who attend non-school, private events where student infractions occur, irrespective of context or evidence of wrongdoing?
The policy's application in this instance risks alienating dedicated professionals and role models, and undermining the sense of community that is vital in schools.
It creates an environment of uncertainty and discourages participation in student-support events. While this may sound strange or odd, when my wife and I bought our home, we specifically chose Delmar because of its roots and because we wanted our children raised in a community, that is closely bound, and deep rooted.
Jordan Johnson's contributions as a coach and teacher, coupled with his widespread support within the community, speak volumes. This decision needs to be reexamined and reevaluated with fairness, proportionality, and an acknowledgment of the surrounding circumstances in mind.
The Delmar community now has a responsibility to voice its concerns and advocate for change. Ensuring policies are clear, consistent, and implemented fairly will strengthen the trust between staff, students, parents, and administrators.
The time is now to stand for fairness and accountability-not just for Jordan Johnson, but for all who dedicate their time and talent to shaping the future of Delmar's students.
I encourage everyone to contact the members of the Delmar School Board and encourage them to reconsider this drastic measure. Our community needs leaders and more than anything, students need people like Coach Johnson!!!
Meeting Hearing Audio: HERE
