2/7/2015 Complaints lodged against former Dickson teacher - News - The Daily Ardmoreite - Ardmore, OK

http://www.ardmoreite.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130901/NEWS/130839957 1/3

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Complaints  lodged  againstformer  Dickson  teacher

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By  Michael  Pinedamichael.pineda@ardmoreite.com  Posted  Sep.  1,  2013  at  8:00  AM  

DICKSON  —  The  Carter  County  and  MurrayCounty  Sheriff's  Departments  have  begun  a  dualcriminal  investigation  into  allegations  ofmisconduct  regarding  a  former  teacher  atDickson  Public  Schools.

Carter  County  Sheriff  Ken  Grace  said  thedepartment  began  receiving  complaints  Thursdaythat  former  teacher  Stephenie  Ringwald  providedalcohol  to  students.  He  said  the  department  isalso  investigating  rumors  of  sexual  misconductthat  allegedly  took  place  between  Ringwald  andstudents.

"The  investigation  started  Thursday  and  we  havebeen  taking  statements  from  victims  and  witnesses,"  Grace  said.  "They  are  serious  allegations  andwhen  there  are  children  involved,  we  are  going  to  investigate  it  thoroughly.  Our  job  is  to  protectpeople,  especially  the  children."

Deputy  Donny  Raley  said  the  original  complaints  were  regarding  the  allegations  of  providing  alcoholand  the  allegations  of  sexual  misconduct  have  come  to  light  through  the  course  of  theinvestigation.

"We  have  several  more  interviews  to  conduct,"  Raley  said.  "We  are  at  the  preliminary  stages  of  theinvestigation."

Grace  also  said  the  Murray  County  Sheriff's  Department  is  conducting  its  own  investigation  asRingwald  lives  within  that  county.

Ringwald's  resigned  from  her  position  as  middle  school  English  teacher  and  cheerleading  coach  in  awritten  statement  Aug.  20.  The  resignation  was  accepted  by  the  school's  board  of  education  duringa  special  meeting  Aug.  26.  In  her  statement,  Ringwald  said,  "I  would  like  to  inform  you  that  I  amresigning  my  position  at  Dickson  Public  Schools  effective  immediately.  Thank  you  for  theopportunities  that  you  have  provided  me  over  the  past  ten  years."

In  an  interview  with  The  Ardmoreite  Friday  morning,  Ringwald  said  she  resigned  because  of  anincident  in  the  classroom.  In  an  effort  to  protect  students'  right  to  privacy,  there  was  noelaboration.  Ringwald  was  asked  if  she  was  aware  if  any  complaints  by  parents  had  been  madeabout  her.  She  said  anyone  in  education  receives  complaints.

"It  goes  with  the  job,"  she  said.

When  asked  if  she  was  aware  of  any  complaints  to  the  school  by  parents  regarding  her  providingalcohol  to  students,  she  said  no.

 

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2/7/2015 Complaints lodged against former Dickson teacher - News - The Daily Ardmoreite - Ardmore, OK

http://www.ardmoreite.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130901/NEWS/130839957 2/3

Superintendent  Sherry  Howe,  who  is  also  Ringwald's  mother,  addressed  rumors  circulating  withinthe  community.

"The  rumors  are  inaccurate,"  she  said.  "I  don't  know  what  you  are  hearing,  but  they  areinaccurate."

Howe  was  asked  specifically  about  the  rumor  regarding  Ringwald  providing  alcohol  to  students.Howe  said  those  complaints  would  have  gone  to  principal  Rex  Trent,  who  was  Ringwald's  principaland  conducted  Ringwald's  evaluations.

"If  anyone  provided  alcohol  to  a  student,  it  would  not  be  tolerated,"  Howe  said.  "It's  a  completelie."

Attempts  to  reach  Howe  regarding  the  criminal  investigation  and  allegations  of  sexual  misconductwith  students  were  unsuccessful.

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2/7/2015 Complaints lodged against former Dickson teacher - News - The Daily Ardmoreite - Ardmore, OK

http://www.ardmoreite.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130901/NEWS/130839957 3/3

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