In two separate criminal cases, Centerville Independent School District’s superintendent has been charged with a felony, and another district employee is under investigation.
Centerville ISD Superintendent Carole Dickey was arrested on Friday after being indicted by a grand jury for intentionally failing to report the resignation of a coach who allegedly had a romantic relationship with a student.
Failing to report sexual allegations with the intent to conceal an educator’s misconduct is a state jail felony.
Local news outlet KBTX reported that the accused coach now works at Groveton ISD.
During a June board meeting, Centerville trustees unanimously agreed to set aside $30,000 of taxpayer funds to pay for Dickey’s legal defense on the stipulation that she be found innocent. At the time, Dickey was still under criminal investigation.
If she is found guilty or enters into a plea deal, she will be required to repay the district.
Board members voiced their belief in the superintendent’s innocence during the meeting, calling the criminal accusations against her unfounded.
After Dickey’s arrest, the president of the board of trustees sent out a letter informing the community.
“The Board was previously made aware of the allegations of wrongdoing that form the basis of this charge and based on the information available to the Board as of today, the Board believes the charge to be unsubstantiated,” reads the letter.
The Centerville ISD School Board will meet Thursday, October 23 to discuss whether to place Dickey on paid administrative leave and/or to appoint an interim superintendent.
The meeting will be held at the Centerville Junior-Senior High School Training Center. The public hearing begins at 7:15 p.m., and the regular meeting is at 7:30 p.m.
News of Dickey’s arrest was followed by a separate case of potential employee misconduct.
On Tuesday, parents from Centerville ISD received a letter from Assistant Superintendent Dottie Sullivan stating that an unnamed employee had been placed on paid administrative leave for “unprofessional conduct” toward an elementary student.
Sullivan provided no other information on the case other than confirmation that an investigation is underway.
In just the past few years, hundreds of Texas school employees have been accused of sex crimes involving students.
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