Athens ISD Superintendent Blake Stiles released the following statement this afternoon:
We were recently made aware of allegations regarding one of our employees and a student. An internal investigation was launched immediately, and the teacher in question has been placed on administrative leave.
The safety and well-being of our students are always of utmost concern to us. Accordingly, we are working in full cooperation with the Athens Police Department in this matter.
Because we are bound by law, we are unable to comment on any details of the investigation and must defer to the APD. Rest assured, however, that we are committed to doing all we can to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all our students.
The Athens Police Department released the following statement about the investigation:
The Athens Police Department has confirmed the existence of an active investigation regarding allegations of an inappropriate relationship between an Athens High School educator and student.
The allegations center on text communications between the educator and student, some of which could be regraded as inappropriate. The investigation is in its early stages and is ongoing. At this time there is no evidence to establish that physical contact has occurred between the student and educator.
Due to the age of the student, as well as the nature of the allegations, the names of the parties involved are being withheld pending the outcome of the investigation.
The police department has received full cooperation from the administrators of the Athens Independent School District, who are conducting a separate, administrative investigation into the allegations.