Substitute teacher removed from school after reports of “inappropriate behavior”
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IDAHO FALLS — A substitute teacher was sent home from Rocky Mountain Middle School Thursday after several students said he was behaving inappropriately.
Bonneville Joint School District 93 Superintendent Charles Shackett tells EastIdahoNews.com the students approached the assistant principal and reported the conduct during school hours.
“We sent him home and he’s no longer going to sub for us pending investigation,” Shackett said. “Several individuals came in and stated that he was inappropriate in his actions with them.”
The substitute, who has not been identified, was dismissed from teaching his remaining schedule and taken off of the substitute list. Administrators say he is a new substitute that began teaching this school year.
“If we find that the (allegations) are substantiated, we will exercise the full extent of the law. We will not tolerate that type of behavior if it did indeed happen,” Shackett said.
Candice Preston, whose daughter attends the school, says she read about the allegations on social media.
“When we hear this sort of news thru our kids and/or social media, it’s a huge shock and very concerning,” Preston said. “I understand that appropriate steps need to be made but I would hope some clarification could happen sooner rather than later.”
The actions of the substitute were reported to the school resource officer and are now under investigation by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s office.
“Some allegations were made by some students of inappropriate conduct by a substitute teacher. I don’t know the nature of that conduct,” Lovell said. “Measures have been put in place so that we don’t have anything further happen if it is true – or just in case.”
Shackett said D93 runs background checks on all employees including substitute teachers before they come to the school. The teacher had no criminal record, according to Shackett.
“We want parents to know that we take these situations seriously. If any student feels that there have been inappropriate interactions, they should always come tell an adult in a school,” Shackett said.