NZISD terminates letter author

The North Zulch ISD School Board voted to terminate the contract of mathematics teacher Lori O’Neal at a special meeting Monday after it was revealed she sent out a letter to students accusing district personnel of nepotism and racism after they decided not to renew certain employee contracts, including that of her husband and fellow educator, Jim O’Neal.

No charges were filed against O’Neal as a result of the incident, according to Madison County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Steven Jeter, who was investigating the matter because it was initially suspected by the district that students’ privacy may have been illegally breeched by an outside source.

Since O’Neal had access to the student information, no criminal charges were brought forth as a result.

“(Superintendent Alan Andrus) reached out to the Sheriff’s Department believing they had somebody who may or may not have obtained students’ information such as addresses and names,” said Jeter.

The district suspected O’Neal of sending the letter based on an IT investigation, discovering certain documents that were printed off of her account.

O’Neal cooperated with Jeter’s investigation and ultimately admitted to sending out the anonymous letter. She also explained to him how she obtained the students’ information.

“We ran it by the district attorney’s office and there are no charges that are going to be filed at this time,” said Jeter. “We do not believe an outside source or somebody that didn’t have access to the kids’ information illegally obtained that information.”

According to Jeter, O’Neal had legal access to the information based on the duties she held at the school.

“She didn’t have to steal it, she already had access through her employment,” said Jeter.

As of now, the MCSO considers the case closed. The district can opt to proceed with a theft charge based on O’Neal using school resources to print out the letters, which would be a Class C misdemeanor.