Published: 27 January 2010
A Cherokee County special education teacher was arrested last week on charges that he had “inappropriate contact” with a 15-year-old student.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the allegations that Kyle Campbell, 26, of Jasper, had “inappropriate, non-consensual contact” with a male student in his class at Creekview Middle School, according to Lt. Jay Baker, public information officer for the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office received information about the alleged misconduct from the Cherokee County School Police Jan. 13. Following a weeklong investigation, Campbell was arrested and charged with child molestation Jan. 20, Baker said.
He was arrested at the school’s print shop and was taken to the Cherokee County jail.
Following a hearing, Campbell was released on a $22,000 bond Jan. 21, officials said.
Mike McGowan, director of public information, communication and partnerships for the Cherokee County School District, said Campbell was taken out of his role as a teacher and assigned duties outside of the school.
“Mr. Campbell, on Jan. 13, was immediately reassigned to a non-teaching position that did not involve students and was not on the school campus,” McGowan said.
McGowan said Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo ordered an internal investigation the same day. That investigation still is open and ongoing by the school police, McGowan said.
“We have a process in place when there is an allegation of misconduct,” McGowan said. “The superintendent typically authorizes an internal investigation, then the findings are reported to the Professional Standards Committee, which makes recommendations to him relative to employment.”
Campbell was hired by the school district in July 2008.
