Another teacher in the Richardson Independent School District has been arrested on a child sex crime charge.
Berkner High School science teacher Michael Ralph Fouse was arrested Friday morning by the Richardson Police Department and charged with online solicitation of a minor, a felony.
Fouse was booked into the Richardson Jail on August 28. Bond was set at $20,000.
In a notice sent to Berkner High School parents, administrators stated that Fouse was “immediately placed on administrative leave” and the district “immediately made a report” to the Texas Education Agency as required by law.
“The district takes allegations of this nature very seriously and is following established district protocols.”
The district said Fouse is in his sixth year of teaching at Berkner High School, and that he underwent the required background checks and educator certification verification prior to his employment with Richardson ISD.
Fouse has held a Texas teaching certificate for physical science since 2020.
“While we are not aware of any concerns involving Mr. Fouse’s conduct while employed by RISD, we are asking Berkner High School parents to speak with their students and share any information they believe may be relevant to the Richardson Police Department investigation,” the district added.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Richardson Police Investigation Division at 972-744-4893.
Fouse is not the first teacher from Berkner charged with a child sex crime.
Earlier this month, retired Berkner High School speech teacher and girls’ soccer coach Chuck Brandon was arrested for possessing large quantities of child sexual abuse material. Brandon had been arrested on a similar charge in 2023.
In the past few years, hundreds of Texas school employees have been accused of sex crimes involving students and other children, and thousands have been reported to the TEA for sexual misconduct.
