KEMP, Texas — Kemp ISD and the Kemp Police Department are investigating a former Kemp High School teacher and coach, who resigned last week, for alleged improper relationships with multiple students.
KEMP, Texas — Kemp ISD and the Kemp Police Department are investigating a former Kemp High School teacher and coach, who resigned last week, for alleged improper relationships with multiple students.
Kemp Police Chief Suzanne Martin could not provide any specific details on the case but confirmed to inForney.com on Wednesday that the department has been investigating the allegations since March 21. Martin, who is leading the investigation, said the case remains open and the investigation is “ongoing”. Martin says the case will be handed over to the Kaufman County District Attorney’s office once it is concluded. There have been no arrests or formal charges filed as of press time.
The coach in question is a female who has been accused of having improper and sexual relationships with at least three different male students over the past two school years according to sources close to the investigation. Multiple Kemp ISD sources have confirmed that the coach reportedly resigned and is no longer on campus, however, her biographical information and picture remains on the Kemp High School website.
During the 2017 legislative session, Senate Bill 7 was passed to address educator misconduct and improper relationships between educators and students. Implementation of that legislation has resulted in increased investigation and reporting of misconduct.
Sexual contact or indecent exposure with a minor is a felony that requires the perpetrator to register as a sex offender. It also is a felony for any school district employee to engage in a sexual relationship with a student, even if that student is of the legal age of consent.
Current law says school districts must complete an investigation into allegations of educator misconduct, even if the educator resigns from the school district. School districts must notify the parent or guardian of a student with whom an educator allegedly engaged in an improper relationship, regardless of whether the educator resigned or was terminated. The Superintendent also has 7 business days to report the allegations to the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
“TEA’s Educator Investigations division begins processing reports of misconduct as soon as they are received. Once our Educator Investigations division becomes aware of any alleged misconduct, whether through district report or other means, they will look at the facts they’ve received and ask for additional information if needed,” says TEA spokesman Lauren Callahan. “After reviewing the facts, the division will determine whether they will open an investigation that may lead to a sanction of the educator’s certificate.”
Callahan says when the educator investigations division opens an investigation involving the specific educator, a flag or notification, will appear on the educator’s virtual certificate.
inForney.com can confirm that according to the state’s board for educator certification website, the Coach’s certificate has not been flagged as of Wednesday, which means no investigation has been started by the TEA.
Since 2017, a superintendent or principal who purposely hides knowledge about a teacher's history of misconduct could be charged with a state jail felony. Those who don't file a required report with the State Board for Educator Certification about a teacher's criminal record or incident of inappropriate behavior within a specified period could be fined between $500 and $10,000.
Kemp ISD Superintendent Dr. Lisa Gonzales has not responded to inForney.com’s request for comment as of press time.