Colmesneil ISD Addresses Allegations Against Former Employee and Student Misconduct Cases

By Sal Baldovinos

COLMESNEIL, Texas—The Colmesneil Independent School District (CISD) has released an official statement addressing recent allegations of misconduct involving a former staff member and students. The statement, signed by CISD Board of Trustees President Eric L. Lee, seeks to clarify the district’s actions and emphasize its commitment to student safety.

According to the statement, the district was first notified of serious allegations involving inappropriate communication between a CISD teacher and a student on January 1, 2025. Superintendent Sharon Tule immediately restricted the educator’s access to school property and resources in response. Before the school board could take formal action, the employee resigned. While CISD has not publicly named the former staff member, previous reports identified him as Rodney Lott.

The district confirmed that it reported Lott to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in compliance with policy, and he is now listed as “under investigation” on the TEA Do Not Hire List. CISD stated that all relevant evidence had been provided to local law enforcement and the TEA for further review.

Additional Student Misconduct Allegations

The statement also addressed unrelated allegations involving students, which have been the subject of significant public concern. These include reports of an eighth-grade female student’s explicit photos being shared among male classmates and allegations of sexual misconduct involving students in a school locker room before the holiday break.

CISD clarified that these incidents occurred outside of school hours and that all pertinent information has been turned over to local law enforcement. The district stated that investigations into these matters have been conducted to the extent possible, but no incidents were found to have taken place on school grounds or using school resources.

Addressing Community Concerns

The statement comes in response to widespread concern among parents and residents over how these cases have been handled. During a March 11 school board meeting, community members raised questions about the district’s actions and student safety protocols.

Lee emphasized that CISD has taken all legal steps available to ensure student safety, including consulting legal counsel on whether community members—such as the former employee—could be prohibited from attending school events. The district determined that there are no legal grounds to prevent individuals from attending unless they are disruptive or a lawful protective order is in place. As of now, CISD states it has not received reports of disruptive behavior or protective orders related to these incidents.

Lee reassured the community that CISD conducts thorough background checks, including fingerprint verification through state and federal databases, for all employees and substitutes. Additionally, the district checks TEA certification status and the Do Not Hire Registry before employment.

“We understand that our decisions may not always align with everyone’s views; however, please know that every decision is made with the utmost intention of protecting our children and maintaining a safe educational environment,” Lee stated.

Ongoing Investigations

CISD reiterated that it does not have prosecutorial authority but that law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the allegations. The district has urged the community to trust the legal process and continue working together to maintain a secure learning environment.