LORENA, Texas — A Lorena Independent School District principal who is at the center of a lawsuit is now being investigated by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
April Jewell is the principal of Lorena Primary School, which serves around 400 students pre-kindergarten through second grade. She is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the parents of a pre-k student who was sexually abused by substitute Nicholas Crenshaw at Lorena Primary School.
The TEA confirmed to 6 News that their investigation into Jewell started on June 7. A spokesperson for the agency said they couldn't provide any further comment because the matter is ongoing.
According to an online educator certificate portal, when the TEA investigates an individual, it means there has been an allegation of misconduct. Jewell's Texas educator certificate remains valid because no formal determination has been made by the TEA.
Elliott and Allison Kelly, parents of two Lorena ISD students, tell 6 News the TEA's involvement gives them hope as they feel ignored at the local level.
"That's huge," Elliott Kelly said. "I mean, that makes me feel as though state government is coming to our rescue and providing this light, bringing it to Austin and getting more and more eyes on it. Ultimately we feel like that's how the district is going to actually do something of value for us."
"It's encouraging and it gives us a lot of hope because we've been told time and time again and we've seen time and time again that the parent concern really isn't relevant and the superintendent and school board alike have not been able to give us any answers," Allison Kelly added. "They have not expressed their concern for our concern."
The Kellys said they lost a level of trust after reading details in the documents of the lawsuit. It's created frustrations with them and they want the district to take action when it comes to Jewell's employment, or for Jewell to resign herself. They said it's a feeling many Lorena families have.
"For something like this to have happened and there be no administrative leave during this investigation, if she ends up being a criminal at the other end of this and they've let her be in charge of children for three years after that happened...that's unspeakable," Elliott Kelly added. "That is absolutely wrong and they will fall flat on their faces with the decisions that they've made."
"As elected officials, our school board should be putting these kids first," Allison Kelly said. "The kids first, not any administrator, any staff member, any superintendent or even themselves. To see that parent concerns over these students doesn't really matter, or hold very much weight -- It's sad."
6 News reached out to Lorena ISD School Board President Dr. Denny Kramer for a comment about the lawsuit and if the board has considered any action on Jewell in the process. He shared a statement on behalf of the school board that said:
"With respect to concerns regarding Principal April Jewell, Lorena Independent School District denies all claims asserted against it in Plaintiff’s civil lawsuit. Nicolas Crenshaw committed “unspeakable evil” acts against Jane Doe, and the state of Texas punished him following his plea of guilty in his 2021 criminal case. (Dkt. 1; Dkt. 35). Lorena ISD did not “look the other way” or take any actions that made it easier for Crenshaw to commit his crimes against Jane Doe. (Dkt. 1; Dkt. 35; Dkt. 36). The District responded appropriately to reports regarding Crenshaw when he was employed by the District, reports that differ greatly from the allegations contained in Plaintiff’s civil Complaint that seeks monetary damages against the District.
The District has not been presented any factual evidence that is different than what was reviewed in connection with the 2021 criminal matter against Nicholas Crenshaw. Should that change at any time, appropriate action will be taken. We are grateful for our dedicated and supportive educators, parents and community members. We are confident in the judicial system, and Lorena ISD’s position is to allow the legal process to run its course."
Lawsuit backstory
A lawsuit was filed against both Jewell and Lorena ISD by parents of a pre-K student who was allegedly sexually abused at Lorena Primary School.
Nicolas Scott Crenshaw, a long-term substitute for Lorena ISD, was convicted and sentenced for charges related to sexual abuse of and indecency with two students at Lorena Primary School between 2020 and 2021, according to the lawsuit obtained by 6 News.
The parents of one of the children filed the lawsuit against the school district and Jewell, alleging failure to investigate and report Crenshaw's acts against the 4 and 5-year-old, even though multiple Lorena Primary School staff reported their concerns, according to the complaint.
According to the Lorena ISD website, Jewell is still the principal of Lorena Primary School. She has reportedly filed an appeal in a Waco federal court of a judge's decision to dismiss the lawsuit. Her appeal puts the lawsuit on hold until the process through the appellate court plays out.
While the lawsuit is pending and there has been no action from the school district, the Kellys said they might consider not sending their child to Lorena Primary School.
"I think that we for one are not going to be able to send our kids there personally knowing that if she's going to be the administrator there, but then even past her, the superintendent, the school board, they have been very vocally siding with her and backing her up," Allison Kelly explained. "If these are going to be all the people who are continuing to hold the district, then we're not going to be able to be a part of it anymore and I think that they're going to see that more and more."
The Lorena ISD case has been brought to the attention of Evelyn Brooks, the State Board of Education Representative of District 14, which includes Lorena ISD. Now, she is getting involved.
"The more I dug into it, the more I discovered and the more alarms were set," Brooks said. "I knew I had to do something to help this community. What they're asking for is for their administrator to resign, especially until the end of this court case and I don't think that's unreasonable. I don't think that this should stop until parents get what they ask for."
More from 6 News: