Counselor Indicted For Improper Student Relationship
COLLEYVILLE (1080 KRLD) - A counselor for the Colleyville Heritage High School is now under indictment for having an improper relationship between an educator and a student. The same man is also a sitting member of the Northwest School Board.
Both Colleyville Heritage High School, where Kerry Jones is a counselor, and Northwest School District, where he is a board member, say Jones has been indicted for having an improper relationship with a child.
Administrators in Colleyville say Jones has been on leave since last year.
"GCISD placed Mr. Jones on administrative leave on August 10, 2012 after district leaders were notified that day of the police investigation by the Trophy Club Police Department. He has not been at any GCISD school during this school year.
"While state and federal privacy laws prevent district personnel from publicly discussing details about these allegations or the persons involved, GCISD leaders continue cooperating fully with police. Questions regarding the investigation may be directed to the Trophy Club Police Department."
The fact that Jones is still a sitting member of the Northwest ISD School Board outrages Justin Mayor Greg Scott.
"We wouldn't want anything like that." said Jones. "To be in contact with our children and making the rules and regulations. That's an abuse of power and I don't appreciate that."
Justin is one of several cities included in the sprawling Northwest School District. Jones says he will contact the Northwest School district, and if necessary, School Board President Mel Fuller.
Each Northwest School Board member was sent an e-mail requesting they make themselves available to answer questions, as elected officials. None called.
Fuller issued a statement that says:
"The news of the indictment today against Mr. Jones is concerning and disconcerting to the Northwest ISD Board. As members of an elected School Board, we must always promote the best interests of the District as a whole and our community's priorities and concerns. We want to remind the public that through our criminal justice system, defendants retain the presumption of innocence, unless proven guilty. In this regard, we trust the law enforcement authorities and judicial bodies involved in this matter to carefully weigh the evidence to reach a decision regarding the charges against Mr. Jones. The Board does not have the authority to issue a decision in that regard. The Board will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate what action, if any, is appropriate with regard to Mr. Jones' position on the Board.
The Board firmly believes that the alleged actions of one person should not reflect negatively on the teachers, administrators, or others in the District, who work tirelessly each and every day in partnership with parents and the community, to provide all students a premier education, preparing them to be successful, productive citizens."
Jones was elected in May 2011. His term expires May 2014.
The Northwest School District says prior to his current position in another school district, Jones was employed by Northwest ISD as a counselor at Northwest High School from August 1992 to August 2009. He also served as a Northwest High School boys' soccer coach from 1992 to 1995.
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