A Southern Alamance Middle School teacher is facing charges of indecent liberties.
According to a press release, Ivan Danilo Ardila-Perez was charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a student and two counts of indecent liberties with a child. He is a Spanish teacher and soccer coach.
The Alamance-Burlington School System held a joint conference with the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office Monday.
ABSS Superintendent Dain Butler spoke at the conference. He said the arrest of a teacher brings “shame and embarrassment” to the community.
“I have zero tolerance for misbehavior by our students in the classroom and the same goes for our staff,” Butler said at the conference. “This will not be tolerated, not on my watch.”
Butler also emphasized the actions of one individual do not reflect the values of ABSS as a whole.
“We have great teachers, staff, and administrators who work tirelessly to help our students achieve great things and become successful,” Butler said at the conference.
The investigation, launched by the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, began April 26.
Detectives were initially contacted by a concerned parent of a student.
The investigation followed an allegation of a teacher acting inappropriately with the student.
Butler said at the conference that the district investigates all allegations and if there are findings, the person is placed on paid leave pending further investigation. The person is removed from the school building and a recommendation is made to the Board of Education regarding termination. Butler said the process aligns with North Carolina state policy.
Ardila-Perez was arrested on April 26 and taken to the Alamance County Detention Center. At this time, he is suspended without pay with a recommendation to the ABSS Board of Education for dismissal.
On April 27, five more students came forward and spoke with detectives regarding their interactions with this teacher, the release said. The students range in age from 11 to 13 years old. These victims are receiving advocacy services from Crossroads.
Butler also talked about the students and offered his deepest apologies for the pain, trauma and suffering they experienced as a result of this.
“Abuse is never acceptable, and it is never the fault of the victim. It is a terrible violation of trust,” Butler said at the conference.
The district confirmed during the news conference the principal is also on administrative leave but it is unclear why.
This is an on-going investigation and more charges may be forthcoming. If anyone has additional information in this case or may have been a victim, please call 911 and ask to speak with a Special Victims Unit Detective.
ABSS has a work session May 9, where the termination is set to be discussed.