Teacher charged with having sex with students and showing girls pornography

By: Sharon Stevens

KSDK -- A 31-year old teacher is charged with having sex with a female student in a school classroom.

Former Hancock High School teacher Baxter Harris is also charged with furnishing pornographic material to three other female students.

There are six charges in all.

Harris was arrested Friday but was released over the weekend pending warrants.

He has been removed from the district.

Officials say Harris began a relationship with the 17-year old girl in March; last Thursday the victim told her parents and authorities.

Police say the sexual contact happened inside Hancock High classroom and behind the gymnasium.

School officials say Baxter had passed a criminal background check.

The furnishing of pornographic materials charges involved transmitting photos.

St. Louis County public information officer Tracy Panus told me,

"One was a cellphone with the capacity to take pictures as well as an actual camera that was passed around. Pornorgraphic pictures were passed around as well as with a camera phone."

Thomas Mickes is the attorney for the Hancock Place School district. He says, "The board of education met on friday and they voted to authorize to issue charges for his dismissal. They also took the unusual step of adopting a resolution asking the state board of education for permanent license revocation."

The following is a letter from the superintendent of the district to parents:

Dear Parents:

In an effort to openly communicate with you, I would like to make you aware of a situation in our school district. We are deeply shocked and saddened to report that a Hancock Place High School teacher is under investigation for alleged misconduct with students. Based upon our investigation it appears that only a small number of high school students were involved.

Because this is a sensitive matter involving both an employee and students of the district, there are few details I can share with you at this time. However, I can assure you that the district is cooperating fully with the St. Louis County Police Department in their investigation. In accordance with district policy, the teacher has been placed on removed.

I understand the dismay and questions you probably have about this matter. We are deeply troubled by any report that an employee may have betrayed the trust placed in him. Please be confident that protecting the welfare of all students and providing a safe, secure learning environment is our highest priority in the Hancock Place School District. All of our employees are required to have a clear criminal and child abuse record check before employment. The employee involved complied with this policy.

The school district will continue to cooperate fully with the St. Louis County Police Department and we encourage parents to talk with their children and report any information you deem appropriate to the school district. We have counselors available at school for students.

Your understanding and cooperation is appreciated as we work together through this difficult matter. Our students will always remain the central focus of all that we do here in the Hancock Place School District.

Sincerely,

L. Greg Clark, Ed.D

Superintendent of Schools

Hancock Place School District