A Hixson High School teacher, Bethany White, was suspended last month pending investigations by Hamilton County Schools and the Chattanooga Police Department's Special Victims Unit.
White, who has worked for Hamilton County since 2009, was suspended without pay on March 27.
She is suspended "pending investigation into whether grounds exist to terminate [her] employment," according to a suspension letter from the district's Chief Talent Officer Keith Fogleman.
CPD confirmed that its Special Victims Unit, which is dedicated to working sex crimes and domestic violence cases, is investigating White.
The district's investigation is looking into allegations that White is guilty of unprofessional conduct.
Under Tennessee Code 49-5-501, teachers can be fired for incompetence, inefficiency, neglect of duty, unprofessional conduct and insubordination.
Conduct considered "unbecoming of a teacher" includes immorality; conviction of a felony; "dishonesty, unreliability, continued willful failure or refusal to pay one's just and honest debts"; disregard of the Tennessee Education Association's code of ethics or improper use of narcotics or intoxicants, according to the code.
White teaches sports medicine and exercise science classes and is one of the faculty members of Hixson High's Future Ready Institute - the Institute of Health Careers and Medical Advancement.
In November 2018, she was awarded the Golden Apple Award by WDEF-TV 12. She has served on the district's CCTE Anatomy and Physiology textbook adoption committees in 2017.
White was directed not to initiate contract with any Hamilton County Schools students, parents or staff during her suspension and is banned from Hamilton County Schools' property without permission.
Bethany White's husband, Drew White, also is a teacher for Hamilton County Schools. He is a physical education teacher and a coach at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts.
Staff writer Rosana Hughes contributed to this story.
Contact staff writer Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.