Former Iowa high school principal kills himself amid sexual misconduct probe
A former associate principal at an Iowa high school killed himself last week amid allegations he sexually exploited a student — the second district employee facing such accusations to take his own life this month, a report said.
William Terry, 47, a former employee at Marshalltown High School, fatally shot himself inside the basement of his Ames home on Thursday as police arrived to execute an arrest warrant, WHO reported, citing authorities.
Terry was accused of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a former student. The allegations were reported to police on July 6, the report said.
On July 8, 42-year-old Marshalltown Middle School teacher Adam Edgington fatally shot himself in his car a day after he was busted for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old student.
Edgington was accused of groping and kissing the teen several times over the past school year, the report said.
Separately, Mark Esquivel, 26, an ex-Marshalltown High School gym teacher was arrested on June 30 for allegedly trying to solicit sex from a 17-year-old, the report said.
Esquivel was charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee.
The disturbing series of allegations against the men has led to a district-wide review of its hiring and selection processes, Dr. Theron Schutte, Superintendent of Marshalltown Community School District, told the news station in a statement.
“The District will also be providing additional training on staff ethics and responsibilities, and is reviewing the curriculum to ensure all students are informed about reporting – and empowered to seek help – if a concerning situation arises,” Schutte said.
