Two Olympic Heights teachers lose jobs after sex on campus

Pair violated district’s code of conduct, principal tells parents.

Two teachers at Olympic Heights High School west of Boca Raton are no longer employed by the Palm Beach County School District after it was discovered that they were involved in some sort of sexual activity on campus during school hours, district officials confirmed Thursday.

Principal David Clark notified parents Thursday in a recorded message that the teachers were “engaged in an inappropriate physical relationship while on the school’s campus.”

The message said the conduct was “unacceptable” and was a serious violation of the district’s Get more news every day about Palm Beach County schools on the web at code of conduct.

Both teachers were relative newcomers to the school.

William Barham, 45, was hired in February 2016 to work at the school’s Marine Corps Junior ROTC program, according to district records. Those records indicate Laura Field, 28, a vocational teacher, arrived when the new school year began in August.

Barham was told he was let go this week; his last day was Tuesday. Field resigned Monday. The investigation is ongoing, a district spokeswoman said.

The message from the principal in full:

“The district recently became aware of misconduct involving two teachers at Olympic Heights Community High School. It was discovered that t wo teachers were engaged in an inappropriate physical relationship while on the school’s campus.

“This conduct on campus is unacceptable and not reflective of the work done each day by the excellent teachers at Olympic Heights High School, or in our school district.

“Their actions constitute a serious violation of the district’s Code of Ethics policy related to professional conduct.

“The teachers are no longer employed with the district.

“I wanted you to hear this information direc tly from me and assure you that this particular issue is resolved.”