Johnny Mims
Johnny Mims (born in Homestead, Florida) is the director of bands at Minor High School in Adamsville.
Mims earned a bachelor of arts in music education and bachelor of science in educational studies at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona, Florida in 2011; and went on to complete a master's in music education in 2017 at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
He began his career as director of bands at New Smyrna Beach High School in New Smyrna Beach, Florida from 2011 to 2012. He was dismissed for unspecified reasons following an incident in which he was required to complete an anger management course following an outburst in the band room. Many objected to his leaving the program after having accomplished much in a short time.
Mims served as director of orchestra and bands at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach from 2011 to 2018. He came to Minor High School as an assistant to "Sounds of Superior" band director Earnest Echols in 2018. He took over the program in 2021.
On September 15, 2023, following a 27-0 victory by the visiting Minor Tigers football team over the Jackson-Olin High School Mustangs in Ensley, both bands remained in the stands and continued to play for an unsanctioned "fifth quarter". Birmingham Police asked both directors to stop performing so that they could clear the stands. Mims did not comply, and later declined to submit to arrest, at which point an officer used a Taser to place him in custody. Because he was also the band's bus driver, students were left to find their own way home from Ensley.
Mims was evaluated at UAB Hospital before being processed at Birmingham City Jail. He was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, and resisting arrest. He was placed on administrative leave while the district gathered more information. Mims retained attorney and state representative Juandalynn Givan to represent him. His motion to dismiss the charges was denied and a trial was set for March 27, 2024.
The Jefferson County Board of Education gave Mims a 15-day suspension without pay. He returned to work at Minor High School in January 2024.
References
- Trimble, Linda & Katie Kustura (June 14, 2012) "Parents, students rally for former New Smyrna Beach High School band director." The Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Robinson, Carol (September 15, 2023) "Minor High School band director tased, arrested after Birmingham police order him to end performance." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (September 19, 2023) "Minor band director Johnny Mims tased by Birmingham police during ‘5th quarter’: What we know today." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (September 20, 2023) "Was there a 5th quarter the night Johnny Mims was tased? Questions surround band director’s arrest." AL.com
- Griesbach, Rebecca (September 20, 2023) "Band parents say students fainted, panicked after Johnny Mims arrest: 'Those kids are very traumatized'." AL.com
- Griesbach, Rebecca (September 20, 2023) "Johnny Mims denies attempting to strike Birmingham police: 'I was just doing my job'." AL.com
- Koplowitz, Howard (September 21, 2023) "'I want to cry, Mr. Mims': Officer worried band director’s tasing sows distrust of police, body cam shows." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (October 19, 2023) "Minor High band director Johnny Mims seeks dismissal of charges in arrest that led to tasing." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (December 11, 2023) "Johnny Mims, Minor band director tased by Birmingham police, returning to work, lawyer says." AL.com
External links
- Directors/Sponsors at minorhighschoolband.com