Salado Police investigate allegations

First-year teacher/coach resigns

A first-year Salado I.S.D. teacher resigned today after Superintendent Michael Novotny received a report of an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old female student.

Sup. Novotny informed parents through an email this evening that “we immediately began an investigation in cooperation with the Salado Police Department.”

Marcos Garcia, a Salado Junior High teacher, resigned his position effective immediately today, according to Dr. Michael Novotny.

“I am deeply sorry for all the wrongs & inconveniences I have brought upon my employees & the people who have hired me & put trust in me,” Garcia wrote in a letter of resignation from the school district that Dr. Novotny accepted at 11:41 a.m. today.

Dr. Novotny told Salado Village Voice this evening that he first learned of the alleged inappropriate relationship this morning when the parents of a 16-year-old female student came to him. 

Dr. Novotny said that the allegations include inappropriate text messages and physical contact with a student.

Salado Police Chief Jack Hensley told Salado Village Voice in a phone interview that he is investigating the allegations but no charges have yet been filed. He said that he expects to turn the case over to the District Attorney on Friday or Monday.

“The staff member allegedly involved submitted a letter of resignation today and is no longer an employee of the Salado Independent School District,” Dr. Novotny stated in a letter emailed to parents.

Marcos Garcia is a first year teacher at Salado Junior High and School High School. He teaches mathematics and is a football coach and power-lifting coach.

 “We have no tolerance for staff members who commit these alleged transgressions,” Novotny stated. “Upon learning of such behavior we thoroughly investigate the allegations, involve the Salado Police Department and/or Bell County Sheriff and the Child Protective Services.”

Novotny said that the district is “reviewing our existing policies and procedures for reinforcing our staff’s knowledge about policies, laws, and ethics. We will be putting together a professional learning activity in the near future to remind staff members about their obligations in this area, including the use (or misuse) of social media, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, and other resources.”

“Recent events have taught us that despite the fact that certain activities are inappropriate at best and illegal at worst, staff can always use a refresher session on these matters,” he stated.

This is not the first time for allegations to be made against a Salado teacher.

Ex-Salado teacher Lisa Wagnon pleaded guilty on June 30, 2013 to sexual assault and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 10 years deferred adjudication. That stemmed from allegations of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 15-year male student that involved having sexual relations two times and other contact through cell phones and Facebook. Wagnon was arrested in October 2012 and indicted by the Bell County Grand Jury in January 2013.