Former Hays CISD teacher investigated for allegedly giving alcohol to students

A former Hays CISD teacher is under investigation for allegedly providing alcohol to students.

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- A former Hays Consolidated Independent School District teacher is under investigation for allegedly providing alcohol to students.

Hays CISD said it received an allegation that a Johnson High School teacher may have provided alcohol to students.

The district told KXAN it immediately placed the teacher on administrative leave and launched an internal investigation after hearing the allegations.

Hays CISD said the teacher, who was not identified by name, resigned at the start of the investigation. The district said it also reported this to the Texas Education Agency's educator misconduct reporting portal.

"There is a criminal investigation underway in which the Buda Police Department is taking the lead. The TEA and criminal investigations take precedence now. The district is cooperating with the investigating authorities and deferring to these agencies for further inquiry. The district does not want to do or say anything that might inadvertently harm the ongoing criminal investigations. Part of ensuring safety on campus is also ensuring that law enforcement agents are able to conduct a clean and actionable investigation, which is why the district has not made a statement prior to now. Parents of students who may have been directly affected in this matter will be contacted individually by investigators."

Hays CISD

KXAN tried reaching out to the accused teacher on social media, but we have not received a response yet. This story will be updated if we receive additional information.

The Buda Police Department said its investigation into these allegations is ongoing and no arrests were made.

'I was in disbelief'

The last few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster for Hays CISD parent, Kourtnie Bertram.

She said her son was one of the students the teacher gave alcohol to. Bertram said it happened at the school over Christmas break.

"It was only her there. There were a handful of students," Bertram said. "If she didn't provide the alcohol, she was allowing students to bring it in."

Bertram said at one point, the teacher asked her son to drive her to Home Depot to get a tool. She said on the way back, the teacher stopped at a liquor store.

"She asked him to pull into the liquor store where he waited in the car," Bertram said. "She went inside, and she bought some liquor for herself. She also bought a bottle of crown and Dr. Pepper."

Bertram said that same day, her son was injured while welding.

"The reflection from the friend's welding is what burned his eyes," Bertram said. "Fast forward, and we find out about all this alcohol."

That isn't the only situation Bertram said the teacher is accused of.

"There was a small group of boys she took to Katy, Texas to do a tractor tech competition," Bertram said. "Apparently on the way there, she stopped and bought alcohol for them."

Notification from the district

Bertram said no one with the district reached out to her to discuss the incident involving her son and other students. Ultimately, she would've liked more communication to her and other parents.

"Maybe make personalized phone calls to these parents and say, 'I just want to let you know there's accusations of something that happened.' You don't have to say what and just say, 'Please talk to your child and let us know if you hear of anything concerning,' " Bertram said.

Hays CISD said law enforcement and district officials are working together on this. The district said families directly involved will hear from either school officials or law enforcement.

"The best I can hope for is that she learns from the situation. She learns boundaries. She learns that if she wants to be an educator and a mentor, that's what she needs to be," Bertram said. "Not their friend."