A Texas school district has issued a formal statement regarding a new employee who is connected to a grand jury indictment in a neighboring district. Groveton ISD confirmed it is aware of the situation and has protocols in place to ensure student safety.
The response comes after Centerville ISD Superintendent Carole Dickey was indicted earlier this month on a charge of failing to report an educator accused of having an improper relationship with a student.
Key Takeaways
- Centerville ISD Superintendent Carole Dickey was indicted for allegedly failing to report educator misconduct to the state.
- The educator at the center of the original allegation now works for Groveton ISD.
- Groveton ISD stated it followed all rigorous hiring procedures, including background checks, before hiring the employee.
- The employee has not been charged with any crime and remains under observation by the district.
Indictment in Centerville ISD
A grand jury in Leon County indicted Centerville ISD Superintendent Carole Dickey in October 2025. The charge against her is failure to notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) about an educator accused of misconduct.
Prosecutors allege that Dickey intentionally failed to report the staff member’s resignation. The purpose, they claim, was to conceal the allegations of a romantic relationship between the educator and a student.
Legal Obligations for Superintendents
Under Texas law, school superintendents are required to report certain types of educator misconduct to the Texas Education Agency. Failing to do so can result in criminal charges, as it is seen as a breach of duty intended to protect students across the state.
Despite the indictment, Dickey remains employed by Centerville ISD. The school board previously approved the use of taxpayer funds to cover her legal expenses. Her employment status is scheduled for discussion at a school board meeting this Thursday.
Groveton ISD Addresses Community Concerns
The educator who resigned from Centerville ISD was subsequently hired by Groveton ISD, located approximately 60 miles away in Trinity County. The employee has not been charged with any crime in relation to the initial allegations.
In response to public awareness of the situation, Groveton ISD Superintendent Jim Dillard released a statement to address the matter directly.
“Groveton ISD is aware of the articles... concerning one of our current employees,” Dillard stated. “We take this matter seriously and want to assure the community that Groveton ISD follows a rigorous process for hiring.”
Dillard emphasized that the district's standard procedures were followed for the employee in question. “The employee referenced... was screened using the same hiring process as all Groveton ISD staff,” he explained.
Hiring Protocols and Current Status
The district's hiring process includes several key steps designed to vet all potential employees:
- Fingerprinting: A mandatory step for a national criminal history check.
- Thorough Background Checks: Review of criminal and employment history.
- Extensive Reference Reviews: Contacting previous employers and supervisors.
Superintendent Dillard noted that there is currently no evidence suggesting the employee had an improper relationship with a student. However, the district is taking a cautious approach.
“Should formal charges be filed against the employee, Groveton ISD will promptly evaluate the situation to determine whether suspension or termination is appropriate under district policy,” Dillard’s statement continued. He also confirmed the district will cooperate fully with any investigative authorities.
Separate Investigation Underway in Centerville
In a separate and unrelated matter, Centerville ISD announced this week that another district employee is under investigation. This second case involves allegations of “unprofessional conduct” with a student at the elementary school level.
The district has not released further details but affirmed its commitment to transparency. Both the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Child Protective Services (CPS) have launched investigations into this new incident.
The convergence of these events has placed significant scrutiny on the administrations of both school districts as they navigate complex legal and ethical challenges while maintaining their primary commitment to student safety.