August 18, 2015 The Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD was made aware on August 11 that Angel Sales, a third grade teacher at Bellaire Elementary School, was arrested by the Hurst Police Department. The District learned on August 18 that the Tarrant County District Attorney accepted the charges against Mr. Sales. Mr. Sales has been under investigation by the District, the Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Hurst Police Department since Thursday, May 21, 2015, when Mr. Sales was placed on administrative leave by the District, after allegations arose related to his conduct. A letter, dated Friday, May 22, was sent to all third grade parents notifying them of the allegations of inappropriate conduct with students. The letter encouraged parents to contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services if they had any relevant information to report. The District fully cooperated with all state and city authorities investigating Mr. Sales’s conduct. The District’s own investigation was delayed at the request of state and city investigating authorities. However, due to the nature of the allegations and the information available, the District reported Mr. Sales to the State Board for Educator Certification on Tuesday, May 26, following the Memorial Day holiday, in an abundance of caution. Based on information from the District’s investigation, preliminary findings from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and information obtained from the Hurst Police Department, the District gave verbal notice to Mr. Sales on August 10 of the District’s intent to propose the mid-year termination of his employment contract and issued a written notice to Mr. Sales on August 11. Mr. Sales has not yet requested a hearing related to his proposed midcontract termination, but is entitled by law to a hearing on request. Questions have been asked related to the District’s screening procedures. The District goes beyond the state requirement in screening applicants who are recommended for employment. In addition to the statutory background checks run through the FBI database, the district is part of the Region 11 consortium, with JD Palatine, which conducts a county-by-county background search on each individual screened. In addition, references and other sources are checked related to selected applicants. The District has confirmed that all appropriate screening processes were in place in relation to the hiring of Mr. Sales, and is aware that Mr. Sales, under the nation’s criminal justice system, is innocent until proven guilty. It is sad that today’s news might somehow overshadow the exciting beginning of a new school year for so many fine students and staff of the District. HEB ISD is committed to emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining a professional relationship with students while creating a caring and nurturing learning environment. This remains the expectation of HEB ISD.