The Alvord Independent School District in Texas has confirmed that a high school teacher fed an ailing kitten to a snake. An investigation found the incident occurred before school hours and without any students present, correcting initial reports that circulated online. The district stated the matter has been addressed internally.
Key Takeaways
- An Advanced Animal Science teacher at Alvord High School fed a sick kitten to a snake.
- The Alvord ISD confirmed the event happened before school, with no students witnessing it.
- The teacher has since apologized to her class and voluntarily removed all snakes from the classroom.
- Law enforcement agencies reviewed the case and deferred to the school district for resolution.
- The remaining sick kittens from the same group, taken home by a student, also passed away.
District Investigation Clarifies Events
Officials with the Alvord Independent School District launched an investigation after receiving a report from a parent on September 3. The initial concern suggested that a teacher had fed a live kitten to a snake in front of students.
However, after a thorough review by the district's police department and administrators, the facts were clarified. Alvord ISD Superintendent Randy Brown confirmed that the event did not happen as initially described in online allegations.
The investigation determined that an Advanced Animal Science teacher at Alvord High School made the decision to feed one of several ailing kittens to a snake. This action was taken before the start of the school day, ensuring no students were in the classroom at the time.
Correcting Misinformation
Superintendent Brown emphasized that the district's investigation was crucial in separating factual events from inaccurate claims spreading on social media. The official account confirmed the feeding was not a classroom demonstration.
Teacher's Response and Classroom Changes
Following the incident, the teacher addressed her decision with her class. According to Superintendent Brown, she later acknowledged her actions to her students and expressed her apology.
"The teacher, an experienced educator and animal lover, has apologized to the students for her actions and voluntarily removed all snakes from her classroom," Brown stated.
In addition to the apology, the teacher permitted a student to take the remaining kittens from the litter home. This was done with explicit parental consent. Unfortunately, the superintendent later confirmed that these kittens, which were also described as ailing, subsequently died.
Fate of the Other Kittens
The district confirmed that the other sick kittens taken home by a student did not survive. The original source of the ailing animals was not disclosed by the district when asked for further details.
Involvement of Law Enforcement
The situation was reviewed by multiple official bodies to determine if any laws were broken. The Alvord ISD police department took the lead in examining the incident.
They conferred with both the county's animal control department and the Wise County District Attorney's office. After consultation, these agencies concluded that the school district was the appropriate authority to handle the matter.
This decision meant that no external charges would be pursued, leaving the district to manage the resolution internally. "The school district consulted with legal counsel and confirmed the incident with the teacher was isolated and has been addressed and remediated," Superintendent Brown explained.
District Acknowledges Community Concerns
School district officials recognized that the nature of the incident was upsetting to many people in the community. The story gained attention, leading to significant discussion and concern among parents and residents.
Superintendent Brown directly addressed this aspect in his statement. "We understand that some students and others were upset by this situation, and that is the last thing we want," he said.
The district has encouraged anyone with further information or concerns about their children to communicate directly with school staff. This open line of communication is intended to ensure transparency and address any lingering questions from the community.
The focus of the district remains on moving forward from the isolated event and maintaining a safe and supportive educational environment for all students at Alvord High School.