INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Deputies are investigating a Sebastian River High School teacher suspected of watching pornography while two online students were still logged in his class.
“We are aware of the allegations against an employee at SRHS. Following the report of this incident, our school district took immediate and decisive action by contacting law enforcement and reassigning this employee, pending a full investigation,” School District of Indian River County spokeswoman Cristen Maddux said in a statement.
“We will take every measure necessary to ensure the safety of our students, and that student learning takes place in a safe environment whether on campus or virtually. Employee misconduct of any nature which jeopardizes the safety of our students will absolutely not be tolerated.”
Details on the teacher’s name and the class being taught were not released. It was unclear if charges were expected in the case.
The allegation is one of the latest incidents in the state involving school teleconferencing. On Aug. 12, a man fatally shot his ex-girlfriend at a Martin County home where a 10-year-old girl took online classes.
Public schools in Indian River County reopened Aug. 24, more than two weeks after the original start date, to allow teachers to have more training on coronavirus protocols, including teleconferencing. School officials provided families with three options for education – traditional return to school, virtual school and transitional distance learning.
Indian River County deputies were notified of the incident Monday involving the teacher and students in online classes. Deputies said the teacher was providing instruction from his personal computer at his home outside of Indian River County.
Deputies learned that as class ended, the teacher told students to log off from the learning session. Two students did not log off and could still see the teacher’s screen, sheriff’s officials said.
The students said the teacher, also still logged in, began viewing online pornography, not knowing the students could still see him, deputies said. Deputies said the incident remains an active criminal investigation.
Maddux said a qualified employee will temporarily replace the teacher until further notice. Maddux could not provide further details on the teacher because of the active investigation.
“We are proud of our partnership with the School District of Indian River County and continue to work closely to protect all of the children of our community,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
