Shawnee Public Schools superintendent being investigated by OSDE

SHAWNEE, Okla. (KFOR) — Another educator is on the chopping block.

This time, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Espolt from Shawnee Public Schools.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education has launched an investigation into Dr. Epsolt for a list of allegations dating back to the early 2000s.

"I think the safest thing is to suspend him, but if the board wants to go this other route we're more than happy to to make sure that you have the information," says State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

Dr. Espolt filed a temporary restraining order Wednesday against OSDE in hopes of pausing a possible emergency suspension of his teaching license.

The Shawnee Public Schools superintendent was placed on administrative leave in August.

During Thursday's State Board of Education meeting, board members voiced their concerns about the investigation.

"While we're looking at allegations for many things there has not been a charge placed," says OSDE Board Member Katie Quebedeaux.

OSDE Board Member Sarah Lepak says, "The best practice is to get the person out of the environment and then give them due process to figure out what happened."

According to court records, there are no criminal charges against the superintendent.

"No ma'am there are no criminal charges that I'm aware of against Dr. Espolt," says Michael Beason, General Counsel for OSDE.

However, the case is still under investigation.

"I don't want to do something that's going to jeopardize someone's career over an allegation that that then comes to be false," says OSDE Board Member Katie Quebedeaux.

Dr. Espolt's teaching certificate is now in the hands of a hearing officer to determine what will be done next.

Several teachers have voiced opposition to suspensions because they didn't have due process.

So far, Dr. Epsolt seems to be one of the only ones to fight that in court.