Published: July 09, 2009 05:38 pm      

Sparks pleads guilty to relationship with BC student

Megan Michelle Sparks, 26 and a former Bridge City High School teacher, pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of an improper relationship between an educator and student.

Sparks with her attorney, Steve Crawford, appeared before Judge Pat Clark in the 128th District Court. Sparks waived her right to have the case go before a grand jury. In addition she waived a jury trial.

Her confession to the crime was admitted into evidence as well.

She is scheduled to appear in court again for sentencing on July 31. However, first she has to report to the probation office so county officials can do a pre-sentence investigation report. County officials will compile a report which will include information such as her educational background and her criminal history. It will be returned back to the court so Clark can make his decision as to her punishment.

The third degree felony punishment range is 2 to 10 years in prison. However, Clark could accept the plea bargain agreement of 5 years probation and a $1,000 fine.

The charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student is not an offense which requires her to be registered as a sex offender. However, she will have to surrender her Texas teaching certificate. But, she can seek a teaching job in another state if she acquires a teaching certificate there.

The first year high school math teacher turned in her letter of resignation to BCISD officials following being placed on administrative leave April 24 when school officials received information of the incident.