Thomas McConnellTom McConnell, director of Hamilton County School's Junior Reserve Office Training Corps, is back on the job effective this week.
McConnell, a retired colonel, was arrested on March 4 after a woman accused him of fondling his 5-year-old granddaughter at a local restaurant. He faced a charge of aggravated sexual battery, but a Hamilton County grand jury declined to indict him, and he doesn't appear to face any further charges.
After the grand jury's finding last week, McConnell was reinstated to his JROTC position. He had been on suspension without pay since his arrest.
Hamilton County Board of Education Chairman Mike Evatt said the colonel will receive back pay for his time missed.
"I am very glad to be back to work, earning my pay," McConnell said Monday afternoon.
While he's excited to get back to his job, he said he'll have to work long hours to make up for the missed time.
"I've got seven weeks of back work to catch up on," he said. "So I'm going to be working late and burning the midnight oil to catch up."
McConnell also returned to his duties as a deacon in the Catholic Church this weekend, participating in Mass on Sunday at St. Jude Catholic Church. The Diocese of Knoxville had put him on suspension pending the results of the case. Bishop Richard F. Stika reinstated him the day after the grand jury's finding.
"In accordance with canon law and diocesan policy and the fact that the cause for suspension has ceased, effective April 19, 2012, I am removing the aforementioned suspension and restoring your faculties," the bishop said in a statement.
Contact staff writer Kevin Hardy at khardy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.