The following statement was released b the Hays CISD
The Hays Consolidated Independent School District fired a substitute teacher Friday for assaulting a 16-year-old, sophomore student. The assault occurred late Friday afternoon in a foreign language class and was captured on video by several other students in the class. During the assault, classmates of the 16-year-old girl alerted other adults on campus that the assault was underway. The substitute teacher was immediately removed from the classroom and questioned by school resource officer law enforcement agents. She (the substitute teacher) faces arrest and criminal charges.
“Under no circumstance is that behavior tolerated at Lehman High School or in Hays CISD,” said Lehman Principal Karen Zuniga. “We take the safety and security of our students seriously. We took swift action when this incident occurred and will do everything necessary to protect our students.” In addition to firing the substitute teacher, the district will also report the incident to the Texas Education Agency and cooperate with law enforcement investigators.
The substitute teacher had worked for Hays CISD since Aug. 30, when she underwent orientation training. Her first substitute job in a classroom in Hays CISD was on Sept. 13. She had worked in a classroom in the district a total of 18 times, including Friday. All substitute teachers in Hays CISD, including this former substitute, are required to undergo and pass fingerprint criminal background checks in order to work in the classroom.
“We are appalled at the actions of this former employee,” said Tim Savoy, chief communication officer for Hays CISD. “There is absolutely no excuse or circumstance that can justify what you see unfold on the video. It is unconscionable what this adult did to one of our students.”
