Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Schoolteacher on leave following arrest
ROGERS — An Arkansas Arts Academy teacher arrested last week has been placed on leave and will be recommended for termination, according to a school official.
Tamy Lynn Pershing, 46, was arrested Friday in connection with failure to notify by a mandated reporter (a teacher) and endangering the welfare of a minor, both misdemeanors. Pershing, a sixth-grade language arts teacher, is in her third year at the charter school, CEO Mary Ley said.
Douglas Jay Pershing, Tamy Pershing’s husband, also was arrested Friday in connection with sexual assault, a felony. He is accused of sexually abusing two girls, ages 4 and 2, at the couple’s home in Bella Vista.
The 4-year-old said Tamy Pershing caught her husband having inappropriate contact with the girl and told Doug Pershing “to stop and not do it again,” according to the arrest affidavit.
Ley wrote in an email Tuesday she learned of the arrests of the Pershings through news reports Friday.
“Over the weekend, we were able to obtain and review a copy of the probable cause affidavit leading to the arrest,” Ley wrote. “While cognizant that Mrs. Pershing has not been formally charged, not to mention convicted, of any offense, the allegations presented in the affidavit have damaged the ability of Mrs. Pershing to serve as a teacher for the District. Accordingly, Mrs. Pershing has been placed on leave from her position, and I will be recommending to the Board that her employment be terminated.”
The board is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The school has an enrollment of about 820 students in grades kindergarten through 12.
Tamy and Douglas Pershing are scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 9 in Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren’s court.