By Gary Lloyd
PINSON — A Pinson Valley High School teacher has been charged with sexual contact with a student.
On Feb. 24, sheriff’s detectives began an investigation into reports of inappropriate sexual contact between a female teacher and a 17-year-old male student at Pinson Valley High School.
Jennifer Marie Perry
photo courtesy of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
The school administration notified the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office that the teacher in question had come forward reporting that she had been told by students that there was a rumor being passed at the school that she had engaged in a sex act with a male student.
She denied any involvement and resigned her position at the school, and left campus Feb. 24.
Sheriff’s detectives conducted an investigation and on March 13 obtained an arrest warrant charging 27-year-old Jennifer Marie Perry, of Odenville, with school employee having sexual contact with a student under 19 years old.
On March 16, Perry surrendered at the Jefferson County Jail and was released after posting a $30,000 bond.
According to the school’s website, Perry taught English. She earned a bachelor’s degree in 2014 in secondary education with a concentration in English language arts from Jacksonville State University. Her biography states this was her first year as a teacher.
“I hope everyone will remember that 99.9 (percent) of our educators get it right,” said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Randy Christian. “I’m still amazed that there are a few that would risk their career over something like this. Parents should be able to send their children to school and expect the adults to make the right decisions with our young people.”
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
