The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Sisters School District officials and other agencies will look into potentially inappropriate texts between a Sisters teacher and a former student believed to be 17. The texts came to light in social media posts on Sunday, March 25, involving choir and Americana Project teacher Rick Johnson.

"We're aware of the issue," Sisters Schools Superintendent Curt Scholl told The Nugget Monday afternoon. "Can't comment on personnel issues, but we're working with all the agencies on the matter."

As is standard practice for mandatory reporters, the agencies involved are the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

Scholl said that information, complaints, or concerns should be directed to him via email or made through the formal KL-AR complaint procedure (available at https://district.ssd6.org/download/kl-ar-public-complaint-procedure/).

"If people have concerns, they are welcome to e-mail me," Scholl said. "Some folks have e-mailed me already."

Some of those commenting on the situation online have proposed bringing their concerns to the school board at their next meeting, set for Wednesday, April 3. Asked about that potential, Scholl told The Nugget that personnel issues are explicitly excluded from public comment at open board meetings, and would not be allowed.

"That's not the venue for those things," he said. "Personnel issues run through me. The board is about policy."

The Sisters School District is currently on spring break; students return to the classroom on Monday, April 1.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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