Austintown substitute teacher facing criminal charges
A substitute teacher at Austintown Fitch High School faces drug and evidence tampering charges according to school officials.
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A substitute teacher at Austintown Fitch High School faces drug and evidence tampering charges according to school officials.
Superintendent Vince Colaluca told 21 News he would not release the name of the teacher until the police report is complete. However, township police identified the teacher as Brent Davis.
Colaluca issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying that the teacher was charged after a school resource office was alerted by a Fitch student about alleged inappropriate behavior, including allegations of pictures being taken of students while in the classroom.
According to Colaluca, as the investigation was going on, the teacher was asked to place his phone on the table by the school resource officer and assistant principal.
When the officer exited the room, the substitute picked up his phone after being asked not to tamper with the phone.
Colaluca's statement says that level 4 prescription pills were found in the substitute’s possession.
The substitute has been banned from the district premises, according to Colaluca and will not be permitted to sub in the district in the future.
As an employee hired through the Mahoning Valley Regional Council of Government, all teaching employees must have BCI/FBI background checks and be drug screened, according to the statement. Austintown Schools substitutes are a contracted service through the consortium.
“This is highly inappropriate behavior and will not be tolerated. ” says Colaluca.
Davis is charged with tampering with evidence and possession of a prescription schedule 4 controlled substance.