A Normangee Independent School District employee has been terminated over allegations of inappropriate behavior with students. The employee’s identity is yet to be released.
According to documents from Normangee ISD that local news outlet KBTX received through a public records request, the employee received a written reprimand for using the social media app Snapchat to communicate with a student in early October.
The Texas Education Code requires that school districts adopt a policy to ensure unauthorized and inappropriate communications do not occur between a school employee and a student.
Thus, the reprimand included notice that the communication via Snapchat “is a direct violation of our district’s policies and state regulations concerning appropriate communication between educators and students. As a classroom aide, you are expected to maintain professional boundaries at all times, adhering to the ethical standards set forth by both our school district and the Texas Education Code (TEC), as well as the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).”
The reprimand contained actionable measures for the employee to take, including mandatory ethics training, a review of district policies, and a written reflection.
However, a week after the reprimand was issued, Normangee ISD terminated the employee. According to the termination letter also acquired by KBTX, accusations that the aide was inappropriately touching female students had arisen. The termination was effective immediately.
Superintendent Justin Vercher stated that the employee’s termination would be reported to the Texas Education Agency as required by state law.
The Leon County District Attorney’s Office, which is charged with investigating the case, advised the district not to release any information that could interfere with potential criminal prosecution in a letter obtained by KBTX.
“Because the case is currently under active investigation and may result in a formal criminal prosecution, disclosure of information regarding this incident could jeopardize the parties’ ability to obtain a fair trial and would unduly interfere with the investigation and prosecution of the alleged offense,” wrote Leon County District Attorney James Henson. “Therefore, we ask that Normangee ISD decline to provide the requested information and seek an attorney general’s opinion confirming that the information is not available under the Public Information Act at this time.”
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact one of the following three departments:
- Leon County Sheriff’s Office (903) 536-2749
- Normangee ISD Police Department (936) 396-3111, ext. 2281
- Normangee ISD Superintendent’s Office (936) 396-3111, ext. 2204
Dozens of Texas teachers and school employees have been charged with sex crimes involving students in recent years.
