Accusations of “inappropriate behavior” involving a Head Start employee with a student is forcing authorities to investigate the matter, according to a letter sent to parents Sunday.

Cynthia Vasquez, Uhland Elementary principal, said school officials received a report late Friday of possible misconduct by a Head Start employee, who was accused of inappropriate behavior involving a student. Head Start, which operates at several Hays CISD campuses, is an early childhood program that promotes school readiness for preschool children in low-income families. Head Start employees are not hired by Hays CISD but go through the same screening requirements for public school employees.

Details of the incident are unknown at this time. However, Vasquez said the Hays County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the matter and that the accused Head Start employee will not be allowed on the Uhland Elementary campus at this time.

Lt. Todd Riffe, Hays County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said authorities are aware of the allegations and are investigating them.

Vasquez said all Head Start parents were contacted Saturday. The campus is also making available Hays CISD’s counseling services to any parent or student at Uhland Elementary.

“Rest assured that the security of our students is our foremost concern because a safe learning environment is paramount,” Vasquez said.

At this time, Uhland Elementary officials said there is no information to suggest the alleged misconduct involved more than one student. Anyone who might have information related to the incident should call the Hays County Sheriff’s Office at (512) 393-7814.