SPRING, Texas – A Spring ISD teacher and coach has been accused of an improper relationship with a female student.
Shae McCutchen, a football coach and health teacher at Spring Westfield High School, was placed on administrative leave on July 9 while an investigation was conducted by Spring ISD police, according to a message sent to parents by Principal Steve Kinney.
In the message, Kinney added, "I want to assure you that the safety of our students is of the highest importance at Westfield High School. The criminal history and references of job applicants are routinely checked before they are hired. The Westfield administration takes every allegation seriously, a thorough investigation will be conducted by Spring ISD Police, and inappropriate behavior will be exposed when warranted."
Details of the alleged improper relationship or how long it may have lasted are unclear. Students say the news spread so fast through the hallways, it's become somewhat disruptive.
"First my mom asked me about it. She heard it in an email, but I didn't know anything about it until yesterday after she told me," said Westfield High student Deric McCardell.
"You know how high school kids talk. They were just pointing out people that did know her and we saying how she was with the coach and people that knew the coach, said student Aylancia Lillie.
McCutchen, 34, is charged with improper relationship between educator and student. He has been employed at Westfield since 2004.
"You're supposed to be teaching us what we're not supposed to be doing. You're setting the wrong example for us right now," McCardell said.
District officials are encouraging parents to remind their children that any time they feel threatened or compromised anyone, they should immediately report it to a school administrator or police.
Kinney added in the message, "Please speak to your children and remind them to always report to you or other proper officials, such as a school administrator or the Spring ISD Police, any time they feel threatened or compromised by anyone. In addition, we have numerous systems in place for reporting inappropriate activity, including the anonymous Let's Talk About It system."
The district maintains a job applicant's criminal history along with references are routinely checked before a teacher is hired. A district spokesperson tells Local 2, "Spring ISD and Westfield High School will always take allegations of this nature seriously, conduct a thorough investigation and pursue criminal charges when appropriate."
