GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — A Houston High School choir teacher at the center of several investigations for alleged misconduct has been fired.
The Germantown Board of Education voted 5-0 to dismiss Dr. William Price Rayburn early Monday morning.
On Monday, WREG also reached out to Collierville police about any reports involving Rayburn. They responded saying they are investigating an alleged simple assault that happened in their city limits in the fall of 2017. The incident reportedly involved a Houston High School teacher and a student.
They didn’t release any names or additional details.
Rayburn, a tenured teacher at the school, was recently suspended after he was accused of kissing, touching and making inappropriate comments to students. Both the school district and DCS launched investigations into the accusations.
Then just last week, WREG learned Germantown Police also become involved in the case after they received a report that Rayburn assaulted a student at the school in March 2017.
WREG obtained the police report that had most information redacted. However, it did state the juvenile female, who is a student at Houston, was walking down a narrow hallway at the school with Rayburn in front of her.
The report stated Rayburn slowed down and pushed her against a wall with his stomach.
Germantown Municipal School District released a statement saying, “We ask any students who have concerns of any nature to come forward and make reports. I would like to reiterate my support for the students in our district.”
Rayburn’s attorney, Micheal W. Gaines, said “Dr. Rayburn is innocent of any and all allegations against him. Dr. Rayburn is an outstanding educator whose record and accomplishments are unmatched in his field. This is, in my opinion, a witch hunt and vendetta against Dr. Rayburn by Mr. Haddow and his minions in the system, which was designed to achieve a predetermined outcome without any semblance of fairness or due process to which Dr. Rayburn is morally and legally entitled.”
Rayburn has the opportunity to appeal the firing in the next 30 days.
Appeal Process: Tenn Code Ann 49-5-512
