Neosho School District investigating allegations against kindergarten teacher

The Neosho R-5 School District will conduct an investigation of its own into the allegations against kindergarten teacher Debra Scott, according to Derek Spellman's story that was just posted on the Joplin Globe website. Ms. Scott is charged with six counts of endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly driving six teens to Diamond where they trashed someone's yard:

Richard Page, superintendent of the Neosho R-5 School District, confirmed that Scott was a kindergarten teacher but said he could not comment further because it is a personnel issue.

He did say the school district has a policy that calls for an internal investigation if an employee has been charged with a crime.

Capt. Richard Leavens of the Newton County Sheriff’s Department said another adult involved in the incident also might be charged, although he could not yet release any names.

The maximum penalty for conviction of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree is up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or a combination of the two.