Former chorus teacher pleads not guilty to indecency charges

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A former Southwest DeKalb High chorus teacher pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he allowed male students to perform a lewd dance on female students.

Nathan Grigsby entered his plea to six counts of public indecency and four counts of contributing to the deprivation of a minor.

Grigsby, a popular teacher who had taught at Southwest DeKalb for eight years, was fired after the Dec. 10, 2008, incident in his class. His firing prompted protests from parents and students. Efforts to reach Grigsby were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Solicitor Robert James said the male students "put on a revue of sorts, something you'd expect to see at Chippendale's."

"He's essentially accused of allowing certain acts to take place in his classroom, simulated sex acts," James added.

A student recorded the dance and posted it on Facebook, leading to Grigsby's firing.

The charges are misdemeanors. Each count is punishable by up to a year in jail.

Grigsby was ordered to appear in court again on Dec. 4.