Two Cedar Hill High School band directors are on leave while police investigate allegations of misconduct involving former students.
Principal Courtney Washington notified families that Cedar Hill Independent School District is working with the Cedar Hill Police Department on the investigation.
Washington stated that no allegations involve current students.
The band directors were not identified. Neither the principal nor police provided any other information about the alleged victims or the nature of the allegations, citing privacy laws.
“Please understand that federal privacy laws prevent us from discussing specifics about personnel matters, but know that CHISD takes all reports seriously and is cooperating fully with all authorities,” wrote Washington. “We understand this is disturbing news and want to assure you that the safety of our students is our highest priority.”
“Due to the ongoing nature of the case, and to protect the privacy of those involved, we are unable to release any identifying information or additional details at this time,” Cedar Hill police said in a statement. “We take all allegations of this nature seriously and are committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation.”
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is urged to contact the Cedar Hill Police Department at 972-291-5181.
Director of Fine Arts Derrick Walker is the director of Cedar Hill’s Longhorn Red Army Band. According to the district’s website, other high school band directors are Alexander Riggins and William Johnson.
State records show that none of the band directors’ teaching certificates are currently under review.
In just the past few years, hundreds of Texas school employees have been accused of sexual misconduct involving students and other minors, and thousands have been reported to the Texas Education Agency for educator misconduct.
