(Texas Scorecard) – Stratford Independent School District has confirmed “rumors” that two employees are under criminal investigation for alleged misconduct with students.
Superintendent Paul Uttley released a statement Wednesday confirming that district administrators had received a report on April 7 that an employee “may have communicated with a District student in an unauthorized manner.”
Uttley further confirmed receiving a report of a “second rumor” on April 11 that another employee, who police identified as a teacher, “may have been involved in a romantic relationship with a student.”
“Maintaining proper professional boundaries between staff and students is a top priority for Stratford ISD,” wrote Uttley.
He stated that the administration initiated internal investigations into the misconduct allegations, which are ongoing, and reported the incidents to local law enforcement “and other authorities as required by law and District policy.”
“While the investigations into the alleged misconduct remain pending, the District has implemented various personnel measures to ensure student safety and preserve the integrity of the investigations,” he stated. “Further employment action, if any, will be made after the District’s investigation is completed.”
Uttley added that district officials are also cooperating with outside agencies’ investigations and will have no further comment at this time.
Local Amarillo media ABC7 News reported that the employee accused of an improper relationship is a teacher, and the Stratford Police Department turned over that case to the Texas Rangers “due to a conflict of interest.”
Stratford ISD is a small rural district located in the Texas Panhandle, north of Amarillo.
If the allegations are proven true, the adults involved could face serious consequences.
What is described as a “romantic relationship” is a crime. Certain communications between school employees and students may also be criminal.
Improper relationship between educator and student is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
The offense includes sexual contact or sexually explicit communication with a student, regardless of the student’s age.
Such criminal misconduct also violates the Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics and could cost teachers and administrators their state certification.
The Code prohibits both “sexual contact” and “inappropriate communication” with a student or minor. Texting and social networking are frequently used by adults to sexually groom minors—which is also a felony.
In just the past few years, hundreds of Texas teachers and school employees have been accused of sex crimes involving students and other children, including grooming and improper relationships.
A recent analysis of educator misconduct reports submitted to the Texas Education Agency revealed a pattern of “state-sponsored child abuse” within the public school system involving thousands of complaints of sexual and violent misconduct.