Ooltewah High teacher charged with solicitation of minor after allegedly sending inappropriate text messages

The exterior of Ooltewah High School photographed on Sunday, January 31, 2016. (Staff photo by Maura Friedman)
The exterior of Ooltewah High School photographed on Sunday, January 31, 2016. (Staff photo by Maura Friedman)

Chandler Morris, 24, a former Ooltewah High School teacher was charged with solicitation of a minor by the Chattanooga Police Department Tuesday.

Law enforcement began investigating, after an Ooltewah High School student reported receiving inappropriate text messages from a teacher Tuesday, according to a press release from Hamilton County Schools.

Chattanooga Police was contacted by school administrators regarding the text exchange between the student and Morris, according to Elisa Myzal, spokesperson for the Chattanooga Police Department.

Morris resigned his position with the district Tuesday afternoon, according to the school's press release. He also served as an assistant coach for the school's football team.

Based on the type of charge, a class A misdemeanor, Morris was issued a citation in lieu of arrest, Myzal said. Morris has 30 days to turn himself in to law enforcement.

Administrators have also reported the incident to the Department of Children's Services and the Tennessee State Board of Education, per school board policy.

Superintendent Bryan Johnson informed school board members of the incident Tuesday afternoon.

"Hamilton County Schools holds the safety and wellbeing of its students as its top priority. Hamilton County Schools will not tolerate conduct that adversely affects our ability to provide a safe and secure learning environment for students," according to district spokesman Tim Hensley in the release.

Contact Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757- 6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.

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