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...Police have arrested two former Model High School coaches tonight who were relieved of their duties this week for alleged inappropriate relations with female students.
Daniel Brown has been arrested on a felony sexual assault charge, Sgt. Teri Davis, with the Floyd County Police Department, reported at 8:30 p.m.
Matthew Blanton was arrested shortly after 6 p.m. on the same charge.
Blanton, the boys’ head basketball coach, was relieved of his duties Monday. Brown, who was slated to replace him, faced the same disciplinary action before the school board acted to dismiss both of them Tuesday night.
According to the warrant issued for Blanton's arrest, the incidents occurred on school property between Oct. 1 and Nov. 17 of this year.
He kissed the girl and fondled her, the warrant stated.
According to an arrest warrants, Brown did have a sexual relationship with a student at Model between Aug. 1 and Nov. 17.
Brown and the victim had conversations at the school wh
ere they exchanged phone numbers that enabled them to keep in contact, the warrant stated.
The offense locations were listed as the school and Brown's home on Robin Hood Road.
Neither warrant provided the ages of the girls, although police said earlier they were 16 and 17.
A third staff member was fired earlier today, said Tim Hensley, a spokesman for the school system.
Jamie Taylor, a paraprofessional, was fired today. Because he is a non-certificated employee, action by the school board is not required before termination.
Hensley would not discuss whether or not the incident was related to the firing of the two Model coaches or the specific reason for Taylor's dismissal.
Andy Akin, who previously coached the girls’ team at Model, was named head coach Wednesday.
Police investigating the Blanton and Brown cases said the unidentified female students involved are ages 16 and 17, police said.
A video involving the Blanton case has been turned over to the police from Model High.
The school system has handed the investigation over to local law enforcement and the Professional Standards Commission, which dictates ethical standards for teachers statewide. The PSC has the right to revoke a teacher’s license and certification.
When a complaint about an educator is received by the PSC, it is reviewed, and they vote whether or not to investigate the case further. Sanctions range from a warning to the educator’s certificate and license being pulled or revoked.
“It is absolutely not legal, and it is a violation of the code of ethics for a teacher to be involved in a romantic or sexual relationship with a student. Period,” said PSC Executive Secretary Kelly Henson, former Floyd County Schools superintendent. “Every case is looked at individually, but if the commission finds this kind of relationship has happened, the sanctions are at the upper range.”
Any citizen in Georgia can send a complaint to the PSC if they feel an educator has violated the code of ethics, and they usually receive between 80 and 100 cases every month.
The Floyd County school board also contacted the District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Family and Children Services.
“Sixteen is the age of consent, but if it involves a student and teacher, it is not legal,” said Davis, who added that charges are for sexual assault because a teacher has disciplinary authority over a student.
Click here to see a video interview with Model High School parents
