Sarah Fowlkes, a former science teacher at Lockhart High School, smiled as she posed for a mugshot after being arrested on a charge of suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a student.
Fowlkes, 27, has been suspended from her job at Lockhart High School in Texas and could potentially face jail time. Fowlkes, who has worked as a biology teacher at the school since October 2014, was booked into Caldwell County Jail.
Via Houston Chronicle:
According to the police department, officers received a report March 10 from a school administrator at Lockhart High School about a possible inappropriate relationship between a student and a teacher. The investigation led a Lockhart detective to a 17-year-old male student, who had been in contact in person and by message with Fowlkes. Their contact was of a sexual nature, police said.
In a statement on its website, Lockhart Independent School District said Monday that Fowlkes had been suspended and that notice of her conduct was being sent to the State Board for Educator Certification.
After learning about the alleged behavior March 10, before the start of spring break, district officials contacted Child Protective Services as well as the Lockhart Police Department, the statement said.
According to Heavy, Fowlkes’ profile page on the school’s website – which has since been deleted – said, “I have very high expectations of myself as a teacher as well as of my students and I hope that this will be a formula for achievement.”
Susan Bohn, the superintendent of the Lockhart School District, released a statement:
“Lockhart parents entrust their children to us every day, and it is something we do not take lightly. Student safety is the district’s most important priority. As soon as we learned of the report, we acted swiftly to involve law enforcement and CPS to conduct a thorough investigation. The district does not and will not tolerate any improper communication or contact between a teacher and child.”
Lockhart high school sent a letter home to parents and guardians of Lockhart High students:
Dear LHS Parents and Guardians,
I am writing to you with very upsetting news. Today, local law enforcement arrested Sarah Fowlkes, a teacher at LHS, for an improper relationship with a student.
On the afternoon of Friday, March 10th, the LHS administration received a concerning report. The principal notified district administration, and we immediately contacted law enforcement and Child Protective Services for investigation.
Fowlkes will not return to the school district. The district is sending notice of the conduct to the State Board for Educator Certification.
Every day, you trust your children to our care, and it is a responsibility we do not take lightly. As a parent of a Lockhart ISD student, I join you in feeling anger and disappointment in what happened. As an administrator, I will always take swift action against anyone who would violate the sacred trust between students and educators.
Please take time to speak to your child about what has happened. If any student or parent has information about this situation, please contact the Lockhart Police Department at 512-398-4401.
The campus will have counselors available to meet with any student who needs or wants support. In the meantime, if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at susan.bohn@lockhart.txed.net. I will be checking emails and will follow up with you as soon as possible.
What Happened?
A teacher at Lockhart High School in Texas was arrested and booked for having sex with her 17-year-old student.
Who Is Sarah Fowlkes?
Sarah Fowlkes is a former science teacher at Lockhart High School who smiled as she posed for a mugshot after being arrested on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a student.
Fowlkes has been married since October 2013. She and her husband live in New Braunfels, Texas, roughly 40 minutes outside of Lockhart.
