WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Suspended Kershaw Co. teacher fired

Suspended Kershaw Co. teacher fired

KERSHAW COUNTY, SC (WIS) - A North Central High School teacher charged with aggravated assault against a student months ago has been fired.

After months of suspension from the Kershaw County School District, Thomas Shults has been officially terminated by the Kershaw County School Board.

This comes after numerous allegations that he forced female students to act out sex scenes in class. Some students said he touched them inappropriately as well.

Lynne West says, "I kept waiting for the phone call of here to tell me, 'Mom, he's back in school.' And that's something I worried about everyday, she would walk into school and he would be sitting there." 

West said the thought of Thomas Shults returning to her daughter's classroom was a nightmare. Lynne says Shults forced her daughter to act out sex scenes in class, and he was charged with slapping another student on the bottom by the sheriff's department. "It's a great relief knowing he won't be back at North Central, and be around my daughter or anybody else."

After a long investigation, parents were finally relieved to find out Shults would not be back into the Kershaw County classroom, but a little upset at the length of time it took the school district to make this decision.

West says, "For a parent's point of view, it took longer. Anytime it involves your child, I guess it seems they took too long."

When WIS News 10 called the Kershaw County school board, they declined to go on camera, but did release this statement.

"On January 15th the school board went over Dr. Frank Morgan's recommendation and terminated the employment of Thomas Shults."

Lynne West says she celebrates their decision, but hopes Shults never has this opportunity again. "I'm hoping his records will follow him wherever he goes and he will not be allowed to be around kids again."

The court date for Shults on the aggravated assault charge has not yet been scheduled.

Reported by Stewart Moore

Posted by Logan Smith