Dallas ISD will pay $1 million and change its reporting practices for three years under a settlement of federal allegations involving educator misconduct.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould announced the terms, which direct $145,000 to the United States and at least $855,000 toward additional student-safety spending. Federal officials allege the district certified that it complied with state misconduct-reporting law to obtain federal special education funding, despite failing to report evidence of misconduct.
The allegations involve Michael Roell, also known as Johnathan Michael, a former special education teacher at Peeler Elementary. According to the agreement, Dallas ISD opened four investigations during or after his employment into allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. Federal officials also allege that grant certifications submitted from July 2022 through August 2024 were inaccurate or misleading.
The district denies the allegations. It has not admitted liability through the settlement, and federal officials have not determined civil liability.
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