BSISD teacher arrested on suspicion of misconduct with student
Editor's Note: This story originally ran on Page 1 of Monday's edition of the Herald. As posted, the story indicated it would be continued on Page 3; however, the portion of the story to be included on Page 3 was inadvertently omitted. The entire story, including press releases from the Big Spring Police Department and Big Spring ISD, is reprinted here.
Special to the Herald
The Big Spring Herald received the following press release from the Big Spring Police Department shortly following press time Thursday morning:
On Sunday the 17th of April 2022 the Big Spring Police Department was made aware of allegations of Improper Relationship between Educator and Student involving a Big Spring Independent School District High School Teacher and a student. A report of the allegation was generated and forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division. The Big Spring Police Department reached out to BSISD Administrative staff on the alleged allegations. The Detectives Division investigated the allegations made and subsequently submitted a probable cause affidavit for arrest on Matthew Yanez Hispanic/Male 25 yearsof age. On the 21st of April 2022 an Arrest Warrant was issued for Yanez for the offense of Improper Relationship between Educator and Student a Felony 2 offense. Yanez was subsequently arrested and transported to the Howard County Jail.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
In addition, the Big Spring Herald received the following press release from Big Spring ISD shortly following press time Thursday morning:
Big Spring ISD Press Release
DATE: April 21, 2022
FROM: Jay McWilliams, Big Spring ISD Superintendent
As the designated spokesperson and superintendent for the Big
Spring Independent School District, I am issuing the following statement:
On Sunday, April 17, 2022, the Big Spring Police Department reported to the Big Spring ISD Administration that a District employee may have engaged in educator misconduct, specifically improper communications and an improper relationship with a Big Spring High School student. The Administration has now learned that this educator was taken into custody by the Big Spring Police Department.
Upon learning of these events, the District placed the employee on administrative leave, reported this educator's alleged misconduct to the State Board for Educator Certification, and other authorities as required by law and District policies. The school administration is grateful for the cooperation we received from local law enforcement so that interim corrective actions could be immediately implemented with the employee while investigations are pending. The District will continue to cooperate with these agencies to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Student safety and proper professional relationships between staff and students are top priorities to Big Spring ISD. Romantic relationships between District employees and students are never tolerated. The District strictly enforces its student anti-harassment policies. Employees receive regular training regarding proper professional relationships, communications, and boundaries with students. Theadministration encourages anyone with concerns of a suspected improper relationship between a staff member and a student to immediately contact the Superintendent's office or the Big Spring Police Department.
State and federal law prohibit the District from disclosing personally identifiable student information, as well as confidential personnel information. Therefore, the District cannot comment further on this matter. Any further inquiries should be directed to the Big Spring Police Department. Please be assured that the District has taken steps to keep Big Spring ISD students safe, and we are grateful for the prompt assistance of the Big Spring Police Department.
Thank you for your continued support of the District and our students.