A local choir teacher could face criminal charges. Germantown Police are now investigating suspended Houston High teacher William Rayburn after a student claims he assaulted her in a hallway at school.
Officials with the Germantown Municipal School District and the Department of Children’s Services began investigating Rayburn in April for touching and kissing students.
According to Germantown Police, a student’s parents filed charges against William Rayburn Tuesday. The alleged incident happened at Houston High in March 2017.
According to the police report, the student said she was walking down a narrow hallway with Rayburn in front of her. He slowed down, then pushed her up against the wall with his stomach.
State and district officials began investigating Rayburn last month after parents and students accused him of touching and kissing students. GPD officials say, they’re now getting involved because Rayburn is accused of simple assault, which is a criminal act.
“I got two little sisters that go here and it’s scary and gross and terrifying,” said one woman whose sisters attend Houston High.
“I think they need to investigate and I don’t think they need to let ‘em back into the school as a teacher,” said Sue Dodd, whose grandson attends Houston High. “We’ve been real happy with the school, you know, with everybody there. We’ve never had a problem.”
“For myself I think, I’m sure it’s number one school. It’s number one,” said Patricia Cruz, whose daughters attend Houston High.
Counselors have been brought in to support students during the investigation. The superintendent also plans to meet with parents.
Rayburn has been on suspension since mid-April. He has not been arrested or charged.
The Germantown Municipal School District released the following statement:
“We take these allegations very seriously and follow a rigorous procedure to investigate and document allegations and protect our students during the time of an investigation.
Our student services department and counseling staff have been mobilized to support any students who have been affected by the suspension and investigation of William Rayburn. The Superintendent is meeting with concerned parents.”
UPDATE 8/29/2018: There will be no criminal violations filed against a former local choir teacher accused of misconduct.
William Rayburn was originally fired from Houston High School after being accused of kissing students, touching them inappropriately, and bullying, threatening not only students, but also parents.
After being fired, Rayburn sent a 14-page rebuttal to the Germantown school leaders, claiming a majority of the allegations were from parents seeking revenge because their child wasn’t given a solo or placed in advanced choirs.
Germantown police confirmed Thursday to Local 24 the investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing.
The school district says Rayburn’s legal due process hearing is still in progress.
