For the second time in one month, a teacher in Bartlett Independent School District has been accused of sexual misconduct with a student.
Bartlett ISD Superintendent Teddy Clevenger posted a two-page letter to Facebook on Friday afternoon, February 7, addressing “allegations of an improper student-teacher relationship” lodged against an unnamed district employee.
According to Clevenger, district administrators first learned of the allegations “late in the evening on Monday, January 27,” and they placed the accused teacher on administrative leave on January 28.
Clevenger said that following an investigation, the teacher is no longer employed by the district.
“Please know that we communicated with the parents of the students involved immediately, and we kept them apprised of the investigation, as well as the results of the investigation, including the reports made to all state and local agencies,” wrote Clevenger.
He said the district contacted the Bartlett Police Department, Child Protective Services, and the Texas Education Agency.
“At no point prior to Monday, January 27, 2025, did any employee of Bartlett ISD receive reports of inappropriate communications or conduct by the employee,” Clevenger’s letter stated. “Nothing in this employee’s background checks revealed or even hinted at this kind of conduct. This employee had no current or past flags on his certificate when he was hired, nor have any appeared on his certificate since he was hired.”
Clevenger did not disclose the teacher’s name, citing ongoing investigations and privacy concerns.
“We understand that this incident has damaged the faith and trust of many of our parents and staff members, and we are committed to rebuilding that trust,” the superintendent added.
This is the second sexual misconduct incident reported within a month’s time by Bartlett ISD—a one-school district with around 400 students and fewer than 50 teachers.
Just a few weeks ago, another Bartlett ISD teacher and assistant football coach was accused of sexually assaulting a student.
Charles Poling was arrested by the Bartlett Police Department on January 15 and charged with sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between educator and student.
The district did not identify Poling by name, but Clevenger said in a January 16 statement that Bartlett ISD first learned of the allegations against Poling on August 23, 2024, and had “immediately” placed the teacher on administrative leave.
In just the past few years, hundreds of Texas school employees have been accused of sex crimes involving students and other children.
