LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville-area high school band director was fired Tuesday following a months-long investigation into his alleged conduct with female students.
Bullitt County Public Schools received allegations from a former student in May against band director Rodney Stults. Assistant County Attorney Nathan Ray Batey II said at least eight possible victims were found, however charges could not be filed due to jurisdiction and statute of limitations issues.
District Superintendent Jesse Bacon terminated Stults' contract.
"The privacy of witnesses involved and personnel due process and appeal rights restrict further comment, however the safety and well-being of our students will always be our top priorities," Bacon said. "Therefore, we hold all staff members to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct. Any behavior that compromises the trust and authority placed in our educators is unacceptable."
According to a district statement, the allegations brought forth in May were sent to the Shepherdsville Police Department. The department and the school district launched investigations.
The district investigation substantiated a violation of BCPS policies regarding communications with students. The investigation also substantiated allegations of students being invited to Stults' home and on camping trips after graduation, however those actions did not violate any district policies.
In July, the district was contacted by additional former students alleging inappropriate conduct that occurred while these students were enrolled.
According to Batey, allegations included "acts of kissing individuals on the face, having students sit in his lap, providing alcohol to minors, and inappropriate communications through telephone, text and social media."
Batey said while his office is "concerned about the grooming behaviors alleged to have occurred," some allegations occurred outside Bullitt County, and all of them fall outside the one-year statute of limitations on misdemeanor offenses.
The alleged criminal activity took place between 2013 and 2022.
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