MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Schools may not have followed a state law in reporting one of its teacher being arrested for statutory rape.
Marvin Straughter was arrested in December for allegedly raping a teenage boy.
SCS told WREG then that Straughter was placed on administrative leave December 10.
Any time a Tennessee teacher is accused of misconduct and is suspended, fired or quits in lieu of being fired, a school district must report it to the state board of education within 30 calendar days, according to a spokesperson with the state.
That’s important because it lets the state know what’s going on, so they can investigate and also flag the teacher’s license so other districts across the country know what this teacher is accused of.
It’s not just state policy. It’s law.
As of January 13, the state board of education says it has not heard anything about Straughter’s arrest.
WREG reached out to SCS to find out why it is not following the law and reporting Straughter.
The district responded Tuesday, a day after WREG’s story was published, and said Straughter’s file had been submitted to the state that day.
An SCS spokesperson noted there was a district-wide holiday break with administrative offices closed December 24-January 1, and also said that state law does not specify whether reporting is required within 30 calendar days or business days.
The state’s report on Straughter is below. If you can’t see it, click here.
Straughter DR Redacted 1 14 20 Redacted (Text)
