The Itasca ISD Board of Trustees is on the hunt for a new superintendent following the resignation of the former district chief, who was arrested in a sex-sting operation.
Board members are scheduled to discuss the ongoing superintendent search during a regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday night.
The board previously named an interim superintendent, Keith Boles, following the arrest of former superintendent Michael Stevens in June.
Stevens, 47, was arrested after allegedly planning a trip to Houston to meet and engage in sexual acts with an underage girl, who turned out to be an undercover police officer, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Harris County Constable Alan Rosen said in a Facebook post that Stevens, who formerly worked as a coach, assistant principal, and principal in various school districts around the state, allegedly sent sexual photos of himself to the undercover officer.
A bond of $100,000 was set for Stevens under the condition that if posted, he must agree to random drug testing and have no contact with anyone under the age of 17, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Less than one month after Stevens’ arrest on June 29, the Itasca ISD board unanimously accepted his resignation during a specially called meeting, according to KPRC 2.
Brian Bassett, Itasca ISD board president, claimed no Itasca ISD students had conversations of an inappropriate nature with Stevens.
“Our students are safe and will continue to thrive and succeed with the dedicated attention and service brought by our outstanding parents and staff,” he said, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Rosen added in the Facebook post that seven others were arrested in the undercover sting. Still, he warned that the growth of the internet and social media has made it harder for police to uncover online sex crimes.
“You must make it a priority to know what your children are doing online,” said Rosen. “As you can see by this sting operation, there are dangerous predators out there grooming our children and can cause great harm.”
