WOODVILLE – A statement issued by Woodville ISD on Friday, Sept. 11, confirmed that an employee with the district was arrested and placed on administrative leave.
The statement articulated that the arrest was made in connection “with allegations arising from an underlying incident that was previously investigated and dismissed by the former District Attorney.”
Although the statement from WISD did not name the employee, sources indicated that the individual charged was Kelsey Ann Luna, a 32-year-old Woodville resident, who was arrested last week and charged with injury to a child/elderly/disabled with intentional bodily injury.
Luna, who is a certified Special Education teacher for grades 4-8, according to her certification record on file with the Texas Education Agency, is listed as being “under review by the TEA Educator Investigations Division.”
TEA noted that “an allegation of misconduct is currently being investigated by [TEA] staff,” and that although the investigation is being conducted, Luna’s certifications are still valid “because no formal determination has been made.”
Another arrest of a WISD employee was made last week, of 46-year-old Tanya Jean Johnson. Johnson was charged with the same offense, and her bond was the same as Luna’s ($10,000). Johnson, who is also listed as an Academics for Life instructor with the district, was not listed as being under investigation by TEA, however.
The charge made to both Luna and Johnson is a third-degree felony and carries with it, if convicted, a punishment range of two to 10 years in prison.
Although an open records request for documentation involving the case was not returned by press time, Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford confirmed that the cases were not investigated or handled by the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office, but the DA’s office.
WISD stated that the district was unaware that any criminal matter had been reopened or that an arrest was anticipated. “At this time, the district has not been informed that the renewed charges are based upon any new incident, allegation or evidence,” the statement read. Due to the criminal nature of the allegations, the district stated it cannot comment further.
WISD also noted that the administrative leave action is “a precautionary personnel action and should not be interpreted as a determination that the allegations are true.”
“The safety and well-being of our students remain the district’s highest priority,” the statement concluded.
