A principal from Forney Independent School District (ISD) is facing serious allegations after it was revealed that she was aware of a special education teacher’s troubling past prior to his hiring. The situation has raised significant concerns about the screening process for educators in the district.
Wendy Bailey, the former principal of Crosby Elementary School, has been charged with endangering a child and failing to report abuse allegations. Her arrest follows that of Jonathan Michael, a former special education teacher, who was apprehended in May on multiple charges, including injury to a child and child grooming.
According to an arrest affidavit, Bailey was cognizant of Michael’s previous issues, which included an arrest under the name Michael Roell, when she decided to bring him on board last October. The affidavit states that Bailey indicated to Michael that she could hire him if he changed his name, despite being aware of his criminal history.
Investigators have uncovered that Bailey failed to act on reports from two teacher’s aides who claimed that Michael inappropriately touched a student with special needs and made sexual remarks to others. Instead of reporting these allegations, Bailey allegedly moved the affected student to a different classroom, citing a need for safety due to “other behaviors” in the room.
Prior to his employment at Forney ISD, Michael had a history of troubling conduct while working at Hudson Middle School in the Garland ISD. Although he was acquitted of charges of indecency with a child during that time, his past raised red flags among school officials. The affidavit revealed that Bailey was made aware of Michael’s previous arrest when she received his resume from a Forney ISD official.
In a disturbing exchange, Bailey responded to Michael Roell’s resume with a picture of his mugshot, stating, “No thank you, LOLOLOL! Let’s try again:).” Despite this, she maintained communication with him and even scheduled an interview, which was later canceled on the same day he filed to change his name to Jonathan Michael.
After changing his name, Michael applied to Forney ISD and was recommended for hire by Bailey. Interestingly, she claims that her only interaction with him before hiring was a phone interview conducted under his previous name, and she never met him in person.
Further investigation revealed that Michael had previously been removed from a position at Dallas ISD after it was reported that he watched a special needs student change clothes. However, he was not charged in that incident. Additionally, he lost a short-term job with Denton ISD after a parent discovered his past history.
In response to these developments, Forney ISD stated that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement as this matter is under investigation. Denton ISD confirmed that Michael was briefly employed there, noting that he passed all required background checks prior to his hiring.
The Texas Education Agency has placed Michael on a Do Not Hire Registry and has indefinitely suspended his teaching certificate. As for Bailey, she has posted bond and is currently awaiting further legal proceedings, although no court date has yet been set.
