Plano Isd

Plano ISD investigates child molestation case against teacher.

Michael Adam Zellner, 57, of Dallas was arrested Monday after being accused of the having an improper relationship with a student and of indecency with a child. Plano Independent School District (Plano ISD) officials stated he had been placed on administrative leave with pay, reports the Dallas News.

The probable-cause affidavit stated that Zellner had sent several e-mails and text messages to a former student that contained the phrase “I love you.” Zellner agreed to stop communication with her after being discovered by his wife.

On Dec. 22, however, Zellner’s wife received a text message intended for the girl discussing the upcoming Christmas holiday and with the words “I love you.” She then alerted Plano ISD officials.

The 16-year-old told police that her relationship with Zellner began with mere infatuation, which then progressed to more intimate encounters. What started as a meeting in the library on the weekends quickly evolved into holding hands and kissing by October. By December they began engaging in a sexual relationship. They would sometimes meet in a local park and at least one incident took place in Zellner’s Volkswagen Jetta.

According to police, the girl stated that she was in love with Zellner and considers him her best friend. Plano ISD’s investigation is ongoing.

Zellner worked for the district for 6 years as an English teacher at Shepton High School. His bail was set at $35,000, reports the Dallas News.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail. 

Plano Isd

Plano ISD: Sigler Elementary students evacuated to Vines High School

The students at Sigler Elementary School have been evacuated to Vines High School due to a "noxious smell," according to the Plano Independent School District spokeswoman Lesley Range-Stanton.

"The instructional day for Sigler Elementary School students has been rerouted to Vines High School due to a noxious odor reported at the Sigler campus," she said. "The students will remain at Vines for the rest of the instructional day and will be released as normal from the high school."



Plano ISD facilities and safety and security staff responded and implemented the appropriate relocation plan while this situation was being addressed. The district staff are also investigating the cause of the odor.

The Plano Fire Department's hazardous materials crew is also on-scene to help determine the cause of the smell. Peggy Harrell, Plano Fire Department spokesperson, said the hazard material crew did not detect anything hazardous or toxic in the odor.

The first call to the fire department came in shortly after students arrived in the morning, Harrell said. The engine that responded could not find the source of the odor, at which point the hazardous material team was brought in.

“The smell was noticeable, but there nothing hazardous showing up on our devices,” Harrell said.

Shortly after noon the fire department cleared the building and left. Plano ISD investigative crews, containing trained scent dogs, remained at the school.

The fire department did not take part in the evacuation. The were no reported injuries or illnesses of students or staff.

Students will remain at the high school for the rest of the day. Buses will run at their regularly scheduled time from Vines; and carpool for Sigler parents will be at the west bus lane at Vines, she said.