Published: April 29, 2009 06:30 pm      

BCHS teacher resigns amid allegations

BRIDGE CITY — A Bridge City High School teacher accused of an improper relationship between an educator and student has turned in her letter of resignation to BCISD officials.

Megan Sparks, 26, was placed on administrative leave April 24 when school officials received information of the alleged incident. The first year high school math teacher turned in her letter of resignation on Monday.

The case has been turned over to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for further investigation.

If found guilty and convicted of the second degree felony charges she could face up to 20 years in prison.

“We are doing everything we can to protect the students and provide a safe environment,” said Dr. Jamey Harrison, superintendent of the Bridge City Independent School District.

Orange County District Attorney John Kimbrough could not comment on the case but did say, “It doesn’t have anything to do with the age (of the student) when the case involves an educator and a student.”

Sparks, who is a 2000 Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School graduate, follows allegations of another teacher who was put into similar circumstances.

A LC-M teacher also resigned amid allegations and an investigation by district officials after being accused of an improper relationship. The district said no “evidence” was found to warrant any further investigation by law enforcement.

An Orangefield teacher, Jennifer Lea Burton, 39, was indicted April 8 on six counts. They include three cases of sexual assault and three more for improper relationship between educator and student. The indictments cover a period from September through November 2008.

Burton also faces second degree felony charges with a range of punishment of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $10,000 for each count.

Orangefield Independent School District officials placed Burton on leave March 30 after learning of the matter and that a criminal investigation had been initiated. A few days after her indictment was handed down, she turned in her letter of resignation to OISD officials.

Burton is a 1987 graduate of Orangefield High School and has been teaching within the district since 2003. As part of her job, she did coach volleyball, basketball and track.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2603 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.