Iberia R5 School District Employee Being Investigated for Sexual Misconduct Involving a Student

An investigation is underway into allegations that an employee in the Iberia R5 School District engaged in sexual misconduct involving a district student.

The school district has released a statement acknowledging that the Missouri Children’s Division and law enforcement were contacted when the allegations were discovered.

The employee at the center of the allegations has been placed on leave from the district pending further inquiry.

With the matter falling under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, in conjunction with district policy, no other details are being released at this time.

The investigation is being conducted by the Miller County Sheriff’s Office.

Full Release:

Last week, the District became aware of concerns that a District employee engaged in misconduct of a sexual nature with a District student.  After learning of the concerns and conducting an initial investigation, the District contacted the Missouri Children’s Division and law enforcement authorities.  Additionally, the employee was placed on leave pending further inquiry.  

The Miller County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation of this matter.  We will, of course, continue to cooperate with authorities.  We cannot comment in detail about the allegations because personally identifiable student information is confidential under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) and District policy.  We also cannot comment further at this time regarding this specific personnel matter.  We must maintain confidentiality in order to not interfere with the work of law enforcement.  I can assure you that when we are able to share additional information with the community, we will.

Our Board of Education’s policies set forth the standards of expected staff conduct.  All employees also participate in annual training regarding appropriate conduct towards students, including appropriate boundaries.

Should any member of our community have any concerns about any District employee’s interactions with any child, please contact the District Superintendent, or you may share information with our confidential reporting line:  https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Courage2ReportMO/index.html.  You may also contact the Miller County Sheriff’s Department at 573-369-2341 extension 0.

At all times, our School District’s first and most important mission is to provide the best education possible for our students in a safe and secure environment.  Therefore, parents and students should be assured that our School District is acting, and will continue to act, in accordance with its policies to address this matter and to maintain the safe educational environment that our community expects.  We appreciate the patience of our school community as we move through this process.