KXAN-TV
updated 12:30 a.m. CT, Tues., April. 8, 2008
Austin, Texas (KXAN) -- An Austin high school teacher and coach has been charged with 'improper conduct' with a student and has been placed on administrative leave.

Randy Arias has been placed on administrative leave at Akins High School while the District Attorney's office determines if the charges will be tried in court.

Arias taught Spanish and coached cross country. The letter sent home on Friday also informs students and parents that the school believes Arias did not have any other improper relations with other students.
Administrators at Akins High School, along with the Austin Independent School District, refused to speak with KXAN Austin news on camera but they did give KXAN a copy of the letter which they gave to students last week. Which informed them of the allegations against Randy Arias.

To the Akins High School Community:

I need to advise you that an arrest warrant was issued today for one of our faculty members, Mr. Randy Arias, on charges of having an "improper relationship" with one of our students. As a result the arrest warrant, Mr. Randy Arias was promptly placed on administrative leave, while AISD Police continue to investigate.

We have no reason to believe that Mr. Arias has had an improper relationship with any other Akins student.

The case is now pending with the Travis County District Attorney's office. Because the matter is now a criminal investigation, and because the student involved is a minor, there is not a great deal more information that I can provide at this time.

As always, I greatly appreciate your support of Akins High School. This is both a very serious and an embarrassing situation for Akins High School, but should not, in any way, reflect negatively on the hard work and dedication that our students and staff exhibit every day. The Akins' student body and faculty are working hard to conclude this academic year on a rewarding, productive note.


Sincerely,

Daniel Girard,
Principal

A.I.S.D. officials are not releasing much more information, including the name of the minor in this case.

KXAN Austin News contacted the District Attorney's office but our calls were not returned.

Reaction to the news has been mixed.

"Honestly I don't think he did it because I don't think he would do something like that honestly I really don't," said Brianna Cunningham, student at Akins High School.

"It just makes you worry about you know I send my kid off, and I can't protect them even from their teachers," said Angie Blackwell, parent. "You know you should be able to send your kids to school and feel like hey they're at a safe place."

Students told KXAN that Arias was a friendly teacher.

"He was a real mellow guy. I'd see him around like the hallways and everything, shake his hand; he'd be really friendly, said Joseph Johnston, student at Akins High School. "I just would have never pictured him being something going beyond his level."

Students also told KXAN there are others to blame in these situations.

"People just try and brag about things like that. If there's a good-looking teacher or anything they want to put that on themselves," Cunningham said. "They want to stick that on their sleeves so they can show people oh yeah we did this, this, this."

"He knows what he did and he knows what he didn't do," Blackwell said. "And if he's under investigation then hopefully he tells the truth."

Akins Principal Daniel Girard said he is embarrassed by the situation.

KXAN contacted both the Austin and A.I.S.D. Police departments and they told KXAN that Arias is not in custody.

Stay tuned to KXAN Austin News and KXAN.com for more information.

first off, I have opinion on this quote:"It just makes you worry about you know I send my kid off, and I can't protect them even from their teachers," said Angie Blackwell, parent. "You know you should be able to send your kids to school and feel like hey they're at a safe place."
This Parent doesnt feel safe about sending her child to school, if her daughter isnt a slut, then she has no right to say something like this, for all she knows is, her daughter IS a whore, and goes fucking guys in the woods next to the school!! The teacher is at fault partly, but its mainly the little whore's fault, because she's the one under age, and is trying to basicly sueduce the man! I feel as if this little girl is the one who should be blamed!!!