Hays CISD fires substitute teacher following arrest

A Lehman High School guest teacher was fired and arrested for an alleged aggravated assault, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office said Friday. 

Tiffani Shadell Lankford, 32, was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault — a second degree felony — on Friday, HCSO said. Hays CISD also announced that Lankford had been fired following Friday’s incident. 

“Under no circumstance is that behavior tolerated at Lehman High School or in Hays CISD,” Lehman Principal Karen Zuniga said in a statement. “We take the safety and security of our students seriously. We took swift action when this incident occurred and will do everything necessary to protect our students.”

At approximately 3:44 p.m. on Friday, a Hays County Sheriff’s Office school resource officer received information of an assault that occurred in a classroom at Lehman High School in Kyle, officials said. 

The incident involved a 15-year-old female student and Lankford, police said. Deputies arrived at the high school and interviewed multiple students and reviewed several videos, officials said. Lankford was then placed in custody. The victim was released to her father who took her to a local hospital for evaluation, the sheriff’s office said. 

Lankford was transported to the Hays County Jail and later released on a $10,000 bond. 

The student involved in the incident suffered severe injuries, according to a statement released by Paul Batrice of Batrice Law Firm on behalf of the family.

“We are shocked and disgusted after seeing the abuse and excessive force used in this teacher’s attempt to discipline a special needs child,” the statement read. “There is no excuse for this type of behavior. Given this teacher’s alleged criminal history of domestic violence and the video footage that has shaken our community, we have started an investigation into this teacher and Hays CISD in the hopes of ensuring justice for this family and so that no Texas student has to ever endure such extreme behavior again. 

“The child is currently being treated for the severe injuries she sustained from this attack, and her family and loved ones are close by. All parents, myself included, should be deeply disturbed by the facts surrounding this abuse. When we drop our children off at school, we expect that teachers and administrators will keep them safe, not place them in an environment of violent behavior. This is unacceptable to say the least, and we will demand justice to the fullest extent of the law to enact the change so obviously necessary.”

Lankford began working for the school district on Aug. 30, 2019 when she underwent orientation training, Hays CISD said. Her first time working a substitute for the district was on Sept. 13. She worked 18 times, including Friday. The incident will be investigated by the Texas Education Agency 

“We are appalled at the actions of this former employee,” Hays CISD Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy said in a statement. “There is absolutely no excuse or circumstance that can justify what you see unfold on the video. It is unconscionable what this adult did to one of our students.”