A substitute teacher at Klein Oak High School has been charged after being caught on video watching pornography at his desk during class, shocking students and prompting swift action from school officials.
Kenneth Wayne Hartley, an 81-year-old substitute teacher at Klein Oak High School, has been charged with displaying harmful material to a minor, according to court documents.
On Friday, Hartley was reportedly caught on video watching pornography on his computer while sitting at his desk at the front of the classroom. Students can be seen sitting in the classroom in the footage. Documents reveal that Hartley was viewing a video depicting individuals engaged in “deviant sexual intercourse.”
Justin Elbert, the executive director of communications for Klein ISD, told Texas Scorecard:
[S]ubstitute Kenneth Wayne Hartley was viewing inappropriate material on a personal device during class at Klein Oak High School. Students immediately reported this to campus administration. Klein ISD administrators, in conjunction with Klein ISD Police, promptly removed Hartley from the classroom. Klein ISD Police took Hartley into custody, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office accepted charges of displaying harmful material to a minor. Klein ISD will also report him to all appropriate agencies.
Elbert explained that Hartley’s employment was terminated and he would not be allowed to work in the district again.
“An administrator contacted the parents of all students present in the classroom at the time of the incident,” Elbert added. “We wish to thank the students who reported this behavior, as well as our campus administrators and law enforcement for their swift response. Klein ISD remains fully committed to the safety and well-being of all our students.”
Unlike certified teachers, Texas does not require substitute teachers to hold licenses. However, Klein ISD has specific qualifications for substitutes, requiring only 60 college credit hours and a university-issued transcript. These minimal requirements make substitute teaching positions more accessible than those requiring full teaching certifications.
Hartley holds lifetime teaching certifications issued by the state in 1966 and 1979. His certification status is currently under review by the Texas Education Agency.
In 2024, three Klein ISD teachers were arrested for sex crimes involving students or other children.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office requested bond conditions prohibiting Hartley from contacting anyone under the age of 18. However, the presiding judge denied this request. Hartley has since posted his $100 bond.
