Leroy Gibbs, best known as “Daddy Gibbs,” who mentored Dillard High’s marching band for more than a decade, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student that started when she was 14 years old in 1985 and lasted after she graduated, school officials said.
A disciplinary committee found “probable cause” last month to believe the allegations and recommended that the superintendent fire Gibbs, said Joe Melita, executive director of the Special Investigation Unit.
Gibbs has been teaching music at Deerfield Park Elementary, but he was transferred out of the classroom after the woman came forward in late January, Melita said.
Fort Lauderdale police on Friday released an incident report from February in which the woman said that in her sophomore year she began to have repeated sexual encounters with Gibbs that took place in his car, on the school grounds and in various hotels around Broward County. At times they videotaped their actions, she said.
According to the investigator’s report, they had consensual sex up to a hundred times, well into her college years. When she broke off the relationship at about age 20, she told police that Gibbs “became very upset and started to slap her and choke her.” Police were not called at that time.
“She feels that he is a threat to others,” the investigator said.
Police did not pursue the complaint because the statute of limitations had expired and the incidents could not be prosecuted.
Nevertheless, with police records in hand and complaints from the woman, the school has decided to move ahead with firing Gibbs.
Gibbs, 55, could not be reached for comment. He did not appear before the disciplinary committee in April and is scheduled to meet with Melita later this month if he wishes to dispute the allegations.
Broward Teachers Union official George Segna said the union was not involved in the case and that Gibbs had turned down their assistance.
Anonymous letters have circulated throughout the school year alleging sexual relationships between students and teachers at Dillard, some dating back to 1974, some during the past year. But the letters provide few specifics, Melita said.
Former students and parents honored “Daddy Gibbs” in July 2003 for bringing music to children in the predominantly minority community. He came to Dillard in 1982 from Tuskegee Institute and built the band from 25 members to more than 100.
Among his protM-igM-ies were the future band directors at Boyd Anderson and Miramar high schools, Lauderhill and William C. Dandy middle schools.
“I’m distraught. Totally undone,” said Phyllis Jones, 31, of Fort Lauderdale, a former band student who attended Dillard High from 1987 to 1991. “He was a father figure … . It’s really unfortunate with all the good that he has done.”
Staff writer Toni Marshall contributed to this report.
Bill Hirschman can be reached at or 954-356-4513.
