OVERTON (KYTX) - An Overton High School teacher is on paid administrative leave after being accused of throwing something at a student. CBS 19's Anthony Austin has more on this story.
The object in question is a mechanical pencil. Overton Police said the teacher threw the pencil at the student who we're told has Tourette's Syndrome, leaving a mark under his lip.
Overton Police said Tracie Marshall stands accused of hitting the freshman boy with the pencil during class.
The parents didn't file a police report until this morning, but they say it happened Monday.
Overton School Superintendent Alan Umholtz said the teacher was suspended as soon as the parents reported the alleged incident Wednesday. Umholts said he believes Marshall was trying to get the student's attention or stop him from talking.
Parents said if investigators find this to be true, they understand teachers get frustrated, but they don't the think that response is appropriate.
"I mean you shouldn't throw anything," said high school grandparent Cathy Middlebrooks. "But you know it's a hard job and you know they have no control over some of the kids."
"The parents were concerned after hearing this about their kid getting assaulted the teacher or whatever," Overton Police Captain Clayton Taylor explained. "They just want to find out the whole story that's why they came to the police department."
The school district released this statement that reads in part: "First of all Overton ISD main priority is the safety of all students. OISD has placed the teacher on administrative leave with pay during the investigation."
CBS 19 is told this is the first year for the teacher to work for Overton ISD. She currently teaches algebra. That's the class police say the 15-year-old was in at the time.
According to Marshall's bio page on the school website, she's been teaching for about 16 years now.
At this point no one has filed charges. It's up to the district attorney to determine if the teacher will be charged with assault.
